A Great Faith

February 7, 2010
Lesson: Matthew 15:21–28
Key Verse: Matthew 15:28

Introduction

The Shorter Catechism question “What is faith in Jesus Christ?” is answered “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered in the gospel.” This faith is a gift of God: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). This faith is of the Holy Spirit revealed in the promise that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:12). For there is here a measure of knowledge and understanding given by the Spirit through his Divine Scriptures, enabling us to call upon the name or person of Christ as he is revealed; whereby we are delivered from our sin and guilt, Christ having paid the ransom price in our stead upon the Cross of Calvary. This promise is further seen in Paul’s question “How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). We believe, are utterly persuaded, that Christ is our Savior, because we have heard the joyous sound of the Gospel. We hear, and by the Spirit we believe, calling upon him as our Lord and Savior; for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Thus we understand Jesus’ words concerning faith, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt” (Matt. 15:28).

Thy Faith is Great!—Matt. 15:21–28

Jesus and his disciples traveled to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. A woman from Canaan came to Jesus, pressing him to have compassion upon her, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David, my daughter is miserably vexed with a devil.” Again the glory of our Savior is to be revealed through a miracle. His glory shown in who he is and what work he has been sent to do, are revealed through a Gentile woman. For the grace of God would not only stream through Israel, but through the other nations. He revealed this flowing stream to be his blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins, saying, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Jesus testifies of himself, saying, “Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luke 24:46–47). Our Lord has opened the seals of revelation that we might sing with saints who have preceded us, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

God’s grace had entered this woman’s life. However, the disciples had another lesson to learn; for they wanted Christ to send her away. Her persistent crying was too much for them. Mark records that Jesus came to the area of Tyre and Sidon that he “would have no man know it; but he could not be hid” (Mark 7:24). His apostles wanted Christ to send her away, misreading his silence before the woman, as if to say, if you are not going to speak to her, please stop her pleading. Christ begins his lesson to his apostles, and to the woman who must have been listening: he was sent, first, to Israel, saying, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The twelve he had sent forth with the command “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, …But rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5–6). It was after his resurrection and ascension that there was a fuller understanding of his being sent by the Father to be the propitiation of the sins of many: “But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Eph. 2:13–14).

Christ opens the door that they might have a glimpse of this broken wall. The woman does not flee at the hearing of these words. She runs to him to worship him, saying, “Lord, help me.” This worship is an expression of her faith. The seed of faith, however small it may seem, is that gift of God which shall move mountains. In other words, within this woman was a seed planted by the Spirit that she might approach the Messiah according to the good pleasure of God. Such a good seed will produce abundant fruit. For it will bring forth from Christ a beneficent answer. Christ tests her faith. He would not do so if he did not know that seed within her. The Lord had nourished her life with a measure of doctrine, of Biblical teaching, so that her faith would have substance. We may not come to Christ in faith with a full knowledge of his person and works; but that which we have heard and believe, is sufficient and efficacious at the time. From thence we shall grow in faith and works.

Jesus answers her, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to the dogs.” She maintains her faith, saying, “Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Jesus’ comfort is overwhelming, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” How dare we withhold our praise and thanksgiving from those whom Christ is saving, when in our hearts we judge whether one is of our class or not? Is it not Christ’s compassion that we are preaching, and not our own? As soon as Christ spoke, the woman’s “daughter was made whole!” Her faith rose from a spark of truth given her by the Spirit. The answer to her request rose from the unconditional love of God, as an ever-flowing fountain of truth and grace.

What a wonderful and powerful gift God has given us in Christ and by the Spirit: “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1–2). Faith rests upon the saving work of the Holy Spirit; therefore it is efficacious, there is no uncertainty in its work. John Calvin speaks of this faith as the “principle work of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, the terms commonly employed to express his power and working are, in large measure, referred to it because by faith alone he leads us into the light of the gospel, as John teaches: to believers in Christ is given the privilege of becoming children of God, who are born not of flesh and blood, but of God (John 1:12–13)” (Institutes).

Discussion: How is the grace of God revealed through faith?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.