1. The Canaanite Woman
Encounters with Jesus

2. John 20:30–31 (NASB95) Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Significant encounters

3. Tyre was located west and north of Galilee where Jesus had been laboring (Mk 6:53, Gennesaret is the last place name given)
The home of Jezebel (1Kings 16:31-32)
Became a frequent target of the prophets due to their wickedness and greed Ezek 26:17; Zech 9:3
Joined with several other nations to fight against the Jews during the Maccabean revolt in the second century BC (1Macc 5:15-ff)
Background Info - Tyre

4. Background Info - Canaanite
It was the Canaanites that Joshua was to lead Israel in destroying because of their utter wickedness - Josh 3:10
It was the Canaanites that became a thorn in the side of Israel and the constant reminder of their failure to faithfully serve God - Judg 2:3
It was the Canaanites that God used to punish Israel over and over for their unfaithfulness to His commandments. - Judg 2:14
Background Info - Canaanite

5. Context - A startling comparison
Much of this encounter does not fit with how we may typically wish to view Jesus
Seems uninterested and lacking compassion toward this woman’s plight
As the account moves on He responds to her repeated pleas in a way that seems almost mean
Matthew 15:23–26 (NASB95) 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.”
Context - A startling comparison

6. Context - A startling comparison
Matthew 15:1–9 (NASB95) 1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? …” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ”
“why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?”
The “lost sheep of the house of Israel” cannot seem to recognize the shepherd sent to save them
Perhaps what should be most shocking to us is the response of the twelve
Context - A startling comparison

7. A Lesson for the Disciples
Matthew 15:1–9,12 (NASB95) 2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? …” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”… 12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?”
Matthew 15:23–26 (NASB95) 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.”
A Lesson for the Disciples

8. A Lesson for the Disciples
Matthew 15:13–20 (NASB95) 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? 17 “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 “These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”
A Lesson for the Disciples

9. We must recognize our desperate situation
We must see that we have one driving need
We must humble ourselves before the Lord
Application