Jesus Answers the Cries of the Faithful :: Matthew 15:21-28

One of the most comforting truths we find in the gospels is the willingness of Jesus to answer prayer. He himself teaches us to pray, and he promises that our heavenly Father will hear that prayer. Everywhere he goes he sets an example with prayer. As the evangelist to the Hebrews proclaims, Jesus himself offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence (Hb 5:7). Through prayer, the sick are cured, the dead are raised, the blind see first-light. The deaf begin hearing pin drops, thousands are fed, withered hands are given strength. Demons are ousted. Sin is forgiven. Just say the word, the centurion prayed (Mt 8:8). And it came to pass. Why? Because he had faith in Christ. He knew in faith, that nothing is impossible with God (Lk 1:37). He knew in faith that everything is possible for him who has faith (Mk 9:23) ... that is, faith in Christ. 

The Scriptures are filled with other examples just like this. And perhaps one of the greatest comes from our Gospel reading today. 

After walking on the sea of Galilee, Jesus took leave from that region and went somewhere we never would have expected. He withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon (v 21). In other words, he went northwest, leaving Israel, to walk among the Gentiles. Then, behold, Matthew writes, a Canaanite woman came out and began to cry out in prayer on behalf of her daughter. Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is badly demonized (v 22). 

It’s difficult to overstate what is happening. First, the opposition to Jesus in Galilee has not only sharpened, Saint John tells us many disciples stopped following him (Jn 6:15). Second, this woman is a Canaanite. Historically, they were a wicked people, enemies of Israel. Perhaps on account of this, the disciples seemingly want nothing to do with her as she cries out ... and continues to cry out ... Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Matthew doesn’t tell us how she heard about Jesus. But clearly she had, and that is important. She calls him Lord. She recognizes he is the Son of David, which means she knows he is The Christ, the son of the Living God. She knows has nowhere else to turn. She knows he will hear her cry. She knows he can set her daughter free. So she turns to the only God who can. 

Lord, help me, she cries (v 25). So he does.

JESUS ANSWERS THE CRIES OF THE FAITHFUL

This is our theme. This is what today’s Gospel reading is all about. 

When you have a faith that prompts you to cry out ... Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! ... don’t be afraid to be persistent. This is the cry of faith that recognizes Jesus is God incarnate. This is the cry of all the faithful. This is true worship. And this is the cry the Lord your God hears. He always answers those who cry according to his will. 

Even though you think you may be getting nothing but the silent treatment, pay attention to this woman. You too can know that God hears your plea and answers your prayer. 

I. But Lord, have mercy, too often we struggle with doubt.

Some people would turn away, convinced there is something wrong with their faith, their life, their plea. Some would turn away thinking God isn’t real. Some would turn away thinking that their faith is misplaced. Some turn inward ... thinking that only I can help myself. 

That’s where the disciples are at this point in the Gospel of Matthew. Peter’s great confession of faith is still to come. Yet, today, it comes from a Gentile. 

Although Jesus initially doesn’t speak even a word to the woman (v 23), it becomes quite clear it isn’t because she is a Canaanite or a woman ... She actually has great faith. Those who are struggling with doubt are not only the scribes and Pharisees who have begun opposing every move that Jesus makes (15:2, 12), but the disciples themselves who have little faith filled with doubts (Mt 8:26, 14:31). 

When Jesus didn’t answer her the first time, the disciples asked him to send her away because she is crying out after us (v 23). They want nothing to do with her! They said the same thing when in Galilee just before the feeding of the 5,000 (14:15). 

II. Brothers and sisters in Christ, do you do this too? Do you tell people to stop praying? 

Too often, too many people try to silence the prayers of others. Too often, we think our prayers aren’t good enough to be heard, to be shared with others. How many of you have had cancer? How many of you had a child so sick in the hospital you felt helpless? How many of you had less than a dollar in change and only one can of soup to share with everyone in the house? 

Too often we think we need to keep our problems to ourselves. ... Don’t put me on the prayer list, we say; I don’t want anyone to know. ... Don’t put me on that prayer list; that list is too long. Could there be a more terrible word said about a person than that God isn’t for you? Or that you prayed enough and that it’s now time for action? 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t doubt the promises of God for a second. Repent. Mourn your daily failures and believe the Gospel. Jesus hears your prayers. 

I wasn’t sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (v 24). Which means you. 

The lost sheep aren’t those who are related to Jesus by blood. That is why Jesus is on his way to Tyre and Sidon. The lost sheep are those who live by faith. Jesus is looking for us, just like he did with this Canaanite woman ... people who actually hear the Gospel and have faith in him! 

Then [the woman] fell to her face, worshiping Jesus, saying. Lord, help me! (v 25)

And Jesus said: That’s why I am here. That’s why I have left what we once called the kingdom of Israel and gone to the Gentiles. It isn’t good to take the bread of the children and throw it to the dogs (v 26). 

III. Jesus answers the prayer of all who have faith in him.

The dogs of scripture are those who don’t have faith and don’t pray. The dogs are those who worship other gods. The dogs are those who seek to silence Jesus. The dogs are the ones who chase Jesus from Jerusalem, making false accusations against him. The dogs are the ones who will mock and spit upon Jesus. The dogs are those who crucify Jesus. As David wrote in Psalm 22: The dogs have surrounded me. ... They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look and stare at me. They divide my garments among them. And for my clothing, they cast lots (Ps 22:16-18). 

This woman, on the other hand, is the opposite of a dog. She is a child of God who has faith in Jesus! She is someone who sees her sin and her need for a Savior who goes the extra mile for us because he desires all ... yes, even you ... to be saved. She knows he will provide for her. And nurture her. Why? Because she actually has faith in him and his Word.

She is vindicated in that faith with her response to Jesus. 

IV. Jesus saves those who in faith recognize what he is doing, saying, Yes, Lord, I want what you have! 

Then answering, Jesus said to her, Woman, great is your faith. Let it be to you as you desire. And her daughter was healed that hour (v 28). 

Jesus did not answer her prayers so he could have some peace and quiet. He answered her prayer and yours, because he has promised to give his peace and hope, his mercy and strength, his comfort through the forgiveness of sins to all who have faith in him. He promises to go to the end of the earth to feed you and nourish you with his word and sacraments. 

There may be times in your life when your Lord seems silent. But don’t be ashamed to boldly cry out to him for help. Bring your needs and your desires to him, knowing like the Canaanite woman that the good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer. Pray continuously, knowing God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers. 

And have no doubt he hears your prayer, knowing that our Father in heaven won’t look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. He is with you always, because he has washed you clean in baptism. He is with you always, so that you can present yourself at his feast without fear. Like the Canaanite woman, you have a God ... the God ... who wants to show you his mercy.

This is realized fully in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Lord humbled himself by taking on the very flesh of a servant who went to the ends of the earth to serve you, becoming the perfect sacrifice for you. He shed his blood on the whipping post for you, and then on the cross for you. He bore all the wrath of God for you to atone for your sin. 

Lord, have mercy ... he died for you ... 

Christ, have mercy ... he rose from the dead for you ... 

Lord, have mercy ... he gave you his righteousness and will heal you too ... 

This is the sanctifying will of God (1 Th 4:1–7) that enables us, like the Canaanite woman, to say, Yes, Lord! We know that whatever you desire to give is for our good ... in Jesus’ name.