A Mom’s Recipe for Greatness
Text: Matt. 15:21-21
21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
We are about to read a story of a Canaanite mother (Whose name we don’t know) who discovers that Jesus and His ministry team had come to town. This mother by culture is a Greek speaking pagan; more than likely she had no understanding of the Jewish faith. When we read this story, you will discover that this mother somehow has great confidence that Jesus will eventually give her what she has requested.
Confidence does not come from enthusiasm it comes from stamina.
22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word.
Great mothers have great problems. This mother is distressed because her daughter is being attacked and she has no ability to protect her child. The most distressing of all parental problems is the worldly attacks on our children. When you have pain, God has a plan; when you are at your worst God is at work!
Great mothers have great preparation. Plans will come to nothing without preparation! Preparation is different from planning. Planning is about dates on a calendar; preparation is about the mind and heart!
This mother was an outsider to Jewish culture; I believe she began to prepare her heart and mind. Why do I believe this? By how she approaches Him! “… and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! She had prepared her mind and heart to believe that Jesus was the promised Son of David. She believed in His deity; she now believed that Jesus had the power to answer her request.
Great mothers have great priorities.
And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
Her priority was to come to Jesus and worship Him even in her less than perfect condition. The worship of Jesus will take away the insecurity in your life. Insecurity will emotionally rearrange everything you see and hear in life!
Great mothers have great principles. Principle – A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for your system of belief and behavior.
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
The principles you keep in life will determine your character. Character is measured by your reaction to the unexpected! Jesus had just called her a little Dog; try to imagine if this mother were an American in our culture today. What! Are you calling me a dog? What kind of minister are you? How dare you insult me in this way!
Oh, I get it you’re a racist; I'm a Greek and you’re a Jew so you think you have the right to call me a dog!
This mother kept to her principles even when it appeared she had been insulted and dishonored.
27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
This mother had a crisis that was disrupting her family; she knew that she had to leave her comfort zone (Give up her rights) to receive this blessing from Jesus. Faith is proven in times of silence, times when you feel like God is ignoring you. He is not ignoring you, but desires your true worship. You have to worship and trust in Him in spite of the crisis.
What is this mothers answer to her crisis? What does she request? Some crumbs! “… the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Whatever is in the cake is in the crumb; all you need is a crumb to be blessed. Her passion on the inside was now greater than the crisis on the outside; all she needed was the crumb to win!
Great mothers have a great promise. 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! [Let it be to you as you desire].” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
This mother gives us the recipe for greatness. 1. Great Problems. 2. Great Preparation. 3. Great Priorities. 4. Great Principles. 5. Great Promises.