Encounter Jesus – Matthew Week 12

Did Jesus Just Call that Woman a Dog?

Matthew 15

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Lesson Notes

Jesus is on a roll – in chapter 14, he feeds the 5,000 and walks on water. Then he goes to Gennesaret and heals like crazy  (read Matthew 14: 34-36). That’s power! Now, enter the Pharisees…

Jesus and the Pharisees

  • Read Matthew 15: 1-2 – Pharisees travel from Jerusalem to challenge Jesus
    • Because disciples don’t follow their rules by washing hands before eating
    • Violates tradition of the Pharisees (no violation of the Law)
  • Jesus responds with a question/counter-challenge (Matthew 15: 3-7)
    • They violate Commandment for the sake of tradition
    • “You hypocrites”
  • Jesus really lets them have it (Matthew 15: 10-20)
    • Calls everyone else over – to make it very public
    • What goes in doesn’t make you unholy – its what’s already in  your heart
    • Utter rejection of the Pharisees – “Blind Guides”, implies not planted by God
    • See also Matthew 23 – the woes against them
  • While condemning them, His words are very valuable to us
    • What’s welling up in our hearts – when we’re disappointed, frustrated, or angry?
    • What words, what thoughts, what behaviors?
    • These are symptoms of our heart condition. For believers in Christ, we are new creations in Christ, but the old man remains.
    • Indicates the progress made in our sanctification
    • It can all be forgiven – God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9)
    • Need to cultivate our spiritual life so the Spirit can transform our hearts
    • Matthew 15, verses 1-20 are an intentional contrast between the ever increasing hostility of the Pharisees toward Jesus and His condemnation of them, vs. what he encounters on a tour of gentile territory

Jesus and the Gentiles

  • Travels to Tyre and Sidon – following footsteps of Elijah (remember, gospel writers make clear, Jesus is the greater Moses and greater Elijah) who also spent time with a widow in that region who had an issue with her child
  • Canaanite Widow – Read Matthew 15: 21-28
    • Strange story – various explanations for Jesus’ treatment of the  Canaanite widow
    • Remember – Canaanites were the ancient enemies of Israel
    • This woman comes and is so persistent the disciples are driven crazy
      • Beg  him to send her away – probably by healing her
      • He initially turns them down – claiming he’s only there to help Israelites
      • This is a gentile are, of course he helps gentiles. Already did in verses 4 and 8.
      • I don’t believe Jesus changes His mind – it is a test of faith & persistence.
      • Referring to her as a dog is part of that test.
      • She accepts the insult and demonstrates genuine humility – embracing the analogy and kneeling before Him. (3 times she says “O Lord”, 2 times says “Son of David”)
      • There’s a pattern, seen often in John, of people needing to change their approach to him, to one of humble faith rather than demanding a result, then getting their desire
      • Having proven her faith, He commends her faith “great is your faith” – echoes the centurion of chapter 8. Heals the daughter.
    • Note the contrast between her approach and the Pharisees – this is intentional

Jesus Does Kingdom Things for Gentiles

  • Read Matthew 15: 29-31
  • Same kings of miracles we saw before – the stuff of Isaiah 35
  • Note the crowd’s response – they glorified the God of Israel – these are gentiles (Decapolis)
  • verses 32-39 is the feeding of the 4,000 – it’s the same group of gentiles
  • Jesus is repeating His greatest kingdom miracles for gentiles
  • BIG IDEA – God’s Kingdom has come to all people. The people of God redefined based on faith response to Jesus, not ethnicity or works
  • For Us:
    • God’s Kingdom is for all people – not just the church-y people who have it all together
    • Too often were really just Pharisees
    • God’s Kingdom is also for messy people, lost people, hurting people
    • If they respond in faith, they are part of the Kingdom
    • We must not be obstacles to their finding the Kingdom, we must help them find it