How does Matthew 15:28 demonstrate the power of persistent faith in Jesus? The Setting of Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:28) • A Canaanite mother has pleaded for her demon-tormented daughter (vv. 22–27). • She is outside the covenant people of Israel, yet she approaches Israel’s Messiah for mercy. • Jesus’ seemingly hard responses are purposeful pauses that draw her faith into full view. Obstacles That Tested Her Faith • Silence: “He did not answer her a word” (v. 23). • Discouragement from disciples: “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us” (v. 23). • Apparent exclusion: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 24). • Seemingly harsh imagery: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (v. 26). Each hurdle could have turned her away. Instead, they became rungs on the ladder of deeper trust. What Persistent Faith Looked Like • She kept calling Him “Lord” (vv. 22, 25, 27)―confession of His authority. • She worshiped: “But she came and knelt before Him” (v. 25). • She accepted Jesus’ assessment without offense, answering, “Yes, Lord” (v. 27). • She clung to a sliver of hope inside the metaphor: “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (v. 27). • She believed His compassion outweighed every barrier. Jesus’ Response: Immediate and Complete • Commendation: “Great is your faith!”―the highest praise He ever gives to faith (also in Matthew 8:10). • Consent: “Let it be done for you as you desire.” • Confirmation: “Her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Persistent faith meets omnipotent grace; the result is decisive deliverance. Key Truths About Persistent Faith • It welcomes no obstacle as final. • It combines humility (“dogs”) with holy boldness (“crumbs”). • It refuses to negotiate away Jesus’ power or compassion. • It is rewarded without delay when God’s purpose is fulfilled (cf. Hebrews 11:6). Further Biblical Witness to Persistence • Luke 18:1–8―the persistent widow, “will He delay long over them?” • Matthew 7:7–8―“Keep asking… keep seeking… keep knocking.” • James 1:6―“Ask in faith, without doubting.” • Romans 4:20–21―Abraham “did not waver through unbelief.” God consistently ties answered prayer to unwavering, persevering trust. Living Out Persistent Faith Today • Keep coming to Jesus even when heaven seems silent. • Anchor every request in His character and His Word. • Let humility guard against entitlement while boldness guards against despair. • Expect His timing, wisdom, and power to converge for your good and His glory. |
    |