Thursday - September 8, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
THURSDAY

BIBLE READING:  Matthew 15:22-28

 It is so easy to get caught up with ourselves and our schedules in today's world. We all have important things to do and important places to be. The last thing we want is to have a hiccup in our schedule, an inconvenience brought about by someone or something that, if we are honest with ourselves, is not as important as we are to this world. It might be a favor that someone might need, a ride, a few extra dollars, or simply just someone who wants someone to talk to. Don’t they understand that I am on a schedule? Don’t they know how important I am and how much work I have to do?  Do they have any clue how difficult they are making my day? Do they not realize that they are wasting my precious time?

 STOP! Wait just a minute! Do you actually hear yourself? Do you even realize how selfish that sounds?

 In Matthew 15:22, we see a Syro-Phoenician woman whose daughter had been cruelly possessed by a demon. In reading the text we get the impression that this woman must have been annoying, because the disciples feel as though she needs to leave them alone. It may be difficult, but for just a moment let’s try to look at it from the standpoint of the disciples. She is different, very different, from them in the sense she was a Gentile. Not only that, but she must have been very persistent in her attempt to get the attention of Jesus. These thoughts must have crossed their minds: “Did she not understand that Jesus was coming to bring salvation to the Jews? Doesn’t she know that Jesus is too busy to be bothered by this woman? Does she not know that Jesus is a Jew? His time is very valuable. He has much more important things than to be bothered by this annoying, problem ridden, not worth much of anything outsider."

 I think we all know where this is going. Jesus stops to listen to the woman, but not before He also notes that she is different. He does recognize her uncleanness, but He also recognizes her faith and he takes a moment to help her. Let that all be a lesson to us. None of us is more important than Jesus. If He was willing to take a moment out of His day to help someone in need, then maybe we should follow His example. Remember, Jesus came to call all men to Him and when we help those in need, we are in return helping Him (Matthew 25:34-46).

 Application: Take a moment out of your day to help someone who is not as fortunate as you are.

 Prayer Request

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