HOW LOW WILL YOU GO?! – PART 1

Life Happens to us all! From in the womb to our birth and thereafter, several things can happen. It is virtually impossible to simply sail through life without something interrupting our lives that would disappoint or make us cry or angry or cause us a variety of pains. Our response to life’s interruptions therefore become important as we navigate through the living years on the face of this earth. The story below highlights an interruption in a few people’s lives.

Matthew 15 KJV

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The story tells us of a caring mother whose daughter was grievously vexed with a devil. The word grievously indicates a severity, and an intensity that must have been difficult for this mother to witness in the life of her daughter. Anyone that has ever had a loved one in your midst that is experiencing hardship of what ever sort and feel helpless, knows this is a horrible and sinking feeling. It did not indicate how long this was happening for, but the mother’s deliberate pursuit of Jesus the Healer tells us that she was desperate for a change. Her crying after him was another sign of her desperation.

Jesus did not even extend the common courtesy of acknowledging her as He was unresponsive to her initial cry. The disciples suggested to Jesus to send her away, but He decided to strike up a conversation instead. He frankly informed her that His ministry was not for persons of her nationality. You would think that this would be a deterrent for her, but she instead drew closer and worshipped Him. The Amplified classic Version of the Bible said, “she came and began to kneel down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” So first she was ignored but she kept pressing, then it was made obvious that Jesus’ entourage did not want her around, then she was told she wasn’t from the right place to get what she needed and her response to this was to humble herself in worship and make another cry for help!

This would not have reached this far in today’s society as the lack of response would have sent the average individual away. The story doesn’t end there. Jesus then proceeds to insult her by calling her a dog! O my God! This was a common term for non-Jews but when you look at what she had already submitted herself to taking, this could have been like a nail in the coffin to end this petition session. But nooooo, this desperate mother had a quick comeback where she basically accepted being called a dog and was willing to take what was wasted by those who rightfully deserve what He had! This is a WOW moment!

This woman humbled herself physically, mentally and emotionally. Each time she was tested she was willing to still go lower. At the start of her quest she was walking after Him, then she drew close, then she knelt and worshipped! It didn’t matter how Jesus addressed her nor what He said, she was a woman on a mission and she was willing to humble herself as much as was needed to see to her petition being granted because she was persuaded HE WAS THE SOLUTION!

Jesus said “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” The “O woman” part of His response in my hearing sounded like a tremendous expression was made. I also heard much love and compassion. I tell you, humility has a way of touching something deep inside of those that experience it. This woman got exactly what her heart desired as she was willing to go really low!

Deliverance and Restoration because of a mother's humility!