Today's Passage - Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:21-28   Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly."  Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."  The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.  He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs."  "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table.  Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment.   Many people don't understand why the Lord was so harsh towards this Canaanite woman.  On the one hand, the Lord was testing her faith.  A person with faith won't be hindered by anything.  When the Lord told the Canaanite woman "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs," she probably had one of the two feelings.  First, she might have become furious.  When you go out to share the gospel and told others that everyone has sinned, they might get mad at you and reject everything you told them.  Second, she might have thought that she was indeed like a dog, but indeed she was unworthy before God, but she would still plead to the Lord because He was the only one who would heal and save.  What really hinders us from coming before God is no other than our own esteem and pride.  Actually, the Lord is filled with love and mercy; His healing still came upon the child of the Canaanite woman through her faith.   On the other hand, the Lord used the term "the children's bread."  Aside from His ordinary grace, God has special grace set aside for His children.  It's specifically prepared for children of God, and the non-believers have no part in it.  God gives all of us lots of ordinary grace, such as sun and rain.  God provides these to everyone, good and bad people alike.  The abundance in Christ from God, however, is reserved only for God's children and it cannot be enjoyed by the non-believers.  It's the same when it comes to healing; God has prepared medicine and doctors for everyone and it's an ordinary grace; prayer for healing, however, is a special grace that God has given to the believers.  We don't need to turn down any kind of grace, and I often call the healing of believers a "double portion grace."  Not only can we enjoy the diagnosis and care provided by doctors, we can also enjoy the power of healing by the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, brothers and sisters, do not forget that you have "the children's bread," which is prepared especially by God.  When you are in need, just come before God ins prayer, and His grace will come upon you!   If you are suffering from any disease right now, please lay hand on wherever you are in pain, and proclaim with me: Lord, I want to receive the children's bread!  You will find that the Lord's grace and His healing power will come upon you!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, may your Holy Spirit come and flow through the bodies of the brothers and sisters who are in weakness and pain.  We lay hand on ourselves and proclaim that the children's bread will come upon us.  Lord, I trust that your healing power will come upon all the brothers and sisters right now as you have promised!  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!          Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!