Endeavor to Persevere

Mat 15:21-28 NASB

(21)  Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon.

(22)  And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed."

(23)  But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us."

(24)  But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

(25)  But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"

(26)  And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

(27)  But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."

(28)  Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.”  And her daughter was healed at once.

What do we know about this woman?  First we know that she is a Gentile.  Jesus had traveled out of Galilee into the district of Tyre and Sidon.  This was over 30 miles away.  The woman was in great need.  Her daughter was possessed by demons.  She was undoubtedly at her last rope.  She was willing to do anything to get her daughter help.  She had obviously heard of Jesus and believed He could help.  Many times urgent needs drive us to seek Jesus. 

Let’s face it though, many times we see people who just want a quick fix.  They are only looking for a temporary solution.  This was not the case with this woman.  I am reminded of a scene from one of my favorite movies – Outlaw Josie Wales.  Chief Dan George played Lone Watie.  In this scene Lone Watie is talking to Josie about going to see Abraham Lincoln.  He says that Lincoln commented on how civilized the group looked and told them to “Endeavor to Persevere”.  This is exactly what this woman chose to do.  Instead of leaving because the disciples and the rest of the Jews hated her.  She worshiped Jesus (verse 25).  She realized worship comes before needs.  This woman gives us one of the greatest lessons of real faith.

Real faith is unyielding.  It demands results even when all odds say otherwise. Jesus was telling her it was not time, that He was sent to the Jews and it wasn’t  good to take from the children and feed the dogs.  Her faith drove her reply, “Even the dogs eat from the crumbs of the Master’s table”.  Her real faith was unyielding this woman had made up her mind and she had chosen to endeavor to persevere.

 How persistent are we?

When it comes to telling others about Christ?

When comes to working in our church to help it grow?

When it comes to praying for our loved ones?

When it comes to???????????????

Real Faith requires us to Endeavor to Persevere.