Confidence in God

Aug 16 12PentAG: Rev. Kenneth Redmann

When Faith Refuses to Give Up

As Christians, there are times when we pray and it seems as though God is silent. We may plead for healing, comfort, restoration, or help for someone we love, yet the answer does not come when we expect it. What do we do then? In this sermon, Rev. Kenneth Redmann examines the remarkable faith of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 and her unwavering confidence in Jesus as the Holy One of God. Her persistence reminds us that our confidence does not rest in our circumstances or in how quickly God answers, but in who Jesus is and in His steadfast mercy.

If you are looking for a Conservative Church in Tampa where God’s Word is faithfully proclaimed and Christ’s saving work remains at the center of worship, we invite you to consider joining us at Zion Lutheran Church. As an LCMS church near Downtown Tampa, we welcome you to hear the Gospel, receive God’s gifts, and grow in confidence in Jesus Christ.

The Sermon

May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O, Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon” (Matthew 15: 25).

Beloved in the Lord, what an urgent appeal to our Lord and what a strange reply our Lord gives! This mother of a severely oppressed girl; this child of God who is calling upon Jesus to show her compassion is totally neglected. Scripture records that Jesus “did not answer her a word”. But the Canaanite woman is persistent. She kept pestering the Lord so much so that the disciples could not bear it any longer. They came to Jesus and begged Jesus to send her away.

It seems to be a common solution for the disciples. If you cannot solve the problem, send the source of the problem away and maybe the problem will just go away. That was the proposal for how to care for the crowd of 5,000. Remember? The disciples said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away . . .” (Matthew 14: 15).

Dear friends in Christ, it is a universal truth that the problem will NOT go away simply by ignoring it.

This bothersome Canaanite woman knew that truth. For the disciples, because this woman was a foreigner, she did not deserve an audience with the Lord. She did not merit special consideration no matter what the circumstances of her poor daughter.

The rejection of a Canaanite woman stems all the way back to Abraham. Abraham, the father of all believers, would see to it that his son, Isaac, would NOT marry a Canaanite woman. Canaanites did not worship the one and only God of creation. Canaanites worshiped false gods; gods made of wood or silver or gold; gods crafted by the hand of man. Plus, a Canaanite woman would lure a righteous man into false worship.

The Bible calls their acts of worship, “abominable practices that they have done for their gods” (Deuteronomy 20: 18). The men and women of Israel were not to have anything to do with these foreigners.

The Chosen People of Israel knew this AND the Canaanite people knew it as well.

Ironically, this God-imposed distinction helps explain the unflappable resolve of the Canaanite woman. First Jesus refused to acknowledge her. Then Jesus reminded her that He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. This woman was not deterred! She remained singularly focused on behalf of her beloved daughter.

The Canaanite mother knew that ONLY the Son of God could remove this demon and restore her daughter to health. Instead of taking offense at Jesus’ obvious rebuff; it seems the despised foreigner grew all the more confident in her insistence the Jesus MUST perform His primary mission of compassion. It is as if the faithful foreigner is saying, “I know that you are the Son of God. You must do the work of God. You must demonstrate Your steadfast love to all peoples.”

She Knew Who Jesus Was

Did you notice that the woman has already addressed Jesus as the Son of David? The woman knows that this Jesus is the Promised One of old. The woman knew that Jesus was the incarnate God who fulfils the Word of God spoken through the prophets of old.

The Old Testament reading this morning; the Word of the Lord through His prophet Isaiah includes BOTH the Jew and the foreigners: “…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for ALL PEOPLES” (Isaiah 56: 6-7). God includes all believers: the Canaanite woman—and you and me!

The woman was acting upon her CONFIDENCE IN GOD!

• The woman was demanding what the demons also testify, “I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (Mark 1: 24).
• The woman was demanding what God the Father has declared at Jesus’ Baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3: 17).
• The woman was demanding what everyone in the whole region already knew.

Hear the Word of the Lord, “And at once his [Jesus’] fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee” (Mark 1: 28).

“Lord, Help Me”

Do you get it? Because the woman recognized Jesus to be the Holy One of God, she came and knelt before Him, pleading, “Lord, help me” (Matthew 15: 25b). The King James Version of the Bible puts it this way, “she came and worshiped him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’”

The Lord tried to ignore her. The disciples tried to send her away. The Lord, in this way—if you can bear it—was testing her saying He had been sent to the chosen people. The woman was not deterred. She came to the Lord and in the fullest sense of the Word, she worshiped Him.

STILL, the Lord said it was not right to take from the children and give to the dogs. Even with such a heart-piercing insult the woman remained steadfast in her faith. “Even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” she said (Matt 15.27). Oh, my!

What Is Your Affliction?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this morning, I am not aware that any of you have a son or a daughter stricken with a demon. YET, this morning you and I are this woman. Her affliction was her daughter’s demon.

What is your affliction this morning? Is it worry that keeps you awake? Is it your sickness that lingers and threatens to debilitate you? Is it a deep sorrow over the loss of a loved one? Is it life’s transitory trials and tribulations? Maybe it is a fractured relationship or a pending surgery or an unrepentant sin.

We Are the Canaanite Woman

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is true. You and I are this woman. Her dogged determination derives from her deep and abiding faith in the God of David. She knew and believed God’s holy Word and trusted that Jesus was the Messiah, the Holy One of God. So, you, too, have received this same free gift of faith from God. In our Baptism, you and I, can draw upon this deep and abiding faith.

The Canaanite woman was determined to employ her faith to save her beloved daughter. This woman knew full well that she was a foreigner and deserved nothing. She was no better than the dogs. She came to the Lord, Jesus, in confession and truth saying basically: “I am a foreigner. I am a despised Canaanite. I am a woman who dares speak to the Holy One of God. My daughter is oppressed by a demon and I approach the ONLY One who can help. I believe in You. I trust in You unto salvation. I entrust my daughter’s body and soul to You. Have mercy on me, O, Lord.”

And Jesus said, “O, woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you desire” (Mt. 15.28).

Jesus’ Faithfulness Persists Today

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus’ faithfulness persists today. Like the Canaanite woman, we trust in Jesus’ Word and in His deeds.

• Jesus fulfilled the demands of His coming.
• Jesus did have compassion upon His poor creatures.
• Jesus did leave His heavenly throne and be born of a woman.
• Jesus did miracles to attest to His authority given by God the Father.
• Jesus was handed over to the authorities just as He predicted would happen.
• Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.

Beloved in the Lord, you know the Easter morning message! “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. . .” (Luke 24: 5-6).

Fellow servants in Christ, in word and in hymn and in remembrance we confess that we are the Canaanite woman. “I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You…” Thank you, Linda and Kevin and Kelly, for your anthem!

Bless us, O God, and smile on us,

so that the world sees who You are,

so that the world knows how You save.

Bless us, O God, and smile on us.

In just a few moments we shall receive into our mouth the very Body and Blood of our Savior for the strengthening of our soul and for the courage to face the living of these days.

The Only True Security

Finally, this. Holy Scripture is clear that the ONLY thing of importance in this life; the Only thing of security in this life; the Only thing of comfort; the Only thing that strengthens and restores and renews us in this life; is the knowledge of salvation unto eternal life.

Because the Canaanite woman was certain that the Holy One of God wants everyone to be saved, her prayer was faithful; her prayer was demanding; her prayer was persistent; her prayer was confident; and finally, her prayer was answered.

O, Lord, grant that we might be the Canaanite woman—sinful, repentant, forgiven, and empowered! God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, (or imagine) according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Eph 3:20-21 KJV).

A Confidence That Clings to Christ

The Canaanite woman came to Jesus with nothing to offer except her desperate need and her confidence in the One who could save. She would not turn away. She trusted His Word, trusted His mercy, and trusted that Jesus truly was the Holy One of God. Her faith points us to the same confidence we are given in Christ: He has come for us, He has died for us, He has risen for us, and He continues to strengthen His people through His Word and Sacraments.

Remember!

Whatever burden you are carrying today, bring it to Jesus. Like the Canaanite woman, we come as sinful, repentant people who need the mercy of our Savior—and we come trusting His promise.

If you are searching for a Conservative Church in Tampa or an LCMS church near Downtown Tampa, we warmly invite you to worship with us at Zion Lutheran Church and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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