How does Matthew 15:28 connect with Hebrews 11:6 about faith's importance? Setting the Scene in Matthew 15:28 Matthew 15 records a desperate Canaanite mother pleading for her demon-tormented daughter. After a brief exchange testing her persistence, the Lord responds: “Then Jesus answered, ‘O woman, your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:28) Her heartfelt reliance on Jesus, expressed through humble insistence, receives immediate divine approval and a tangible miracle. Faith That Pleases God: Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Hebrews states a timeless principle: God-pleasing approach requires confident trust in His character and expectation of His gracious response. Key Parallels Between the Two Passages • Belief in His Person – The woman addresses Jesus as “Lord, Son of David,” acknowledging His divine authority. – Hebrews insists on believing that God exists—the foundational recognition of who He is. • Earnest Seeking – She persists despite silence and apparent rejection (vv. 23-27). – Hebrews highlights earnest seeking as the attitude God rewards. • Divine Reward – Her daughter is healed “from that very hour,” proving the reward of faith. – Hebrews promises that God rewards those who pursue Him with genuine trust. What Genuine Faith Looks Like • Humility: Accepts even a “crumb” from the Master’s table (Matthew 15:27). • Perseverance: Continues calling out after the disciples try to send her away (v. 23). • Confidence in Christ’s Sufficiency: Believes one word from Jesus is enough. • Worship: She “knelt before Him” (v. 25), reflecting reverence that flows from faith. Old Testament Echoes • Abraham “believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). • Isaiah 26:3 links trust and peace: “You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast mind, because he trusts in You.” • 2 Chronicles 16:9 affirms that God seeks hearts fully committed to Him, paralleling the Hebrews 11:6 promise. Practical Takeaways • Approach the Lord with unwavering confidence in His ability and willingness to act. • Persist when answers delay, knowing perseverance itself pleases Him. • Expect His response to align with His character—gracious, timely, and for our good. • Let every expression of faith culminate in worship, for the ultimate reward is deeper fellowship with Him. |
    |