The Canaanite woman’s faith

Matthew 15:21-28

²¹Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²²A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

²³Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

²⁴He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

²⁵The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

²⁶He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

²⁷"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

²⁸Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

15:21 耶穌離開那地方，避到泰爾和西頓附近地區去。15:22 當地的一個迦南女人來見他，喊著說：「主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！我的女兒被鬼附著，痛苦不堪。」15:23 耶穌一句話也不回答。門徒上來求他，說：「請叫她走開！她跟著我們，一路喊叫呢！」15:24 耶穌回答：「我奉差遣只去尋找以色列人中迷失的羊。」15:25 那女人一聽見這話，就在他的腳前下拜，說：「主啊，請幫助我！」15:26 耶穌說：「拿兒女的食物給小狗吃是不對的。」15:27 那女人說：「是的，主啊，可是小狗也吃主人桌上掉下來的碎屑呢！」15:28 於是耶穌說：「婦人，你的信心好大呀！照你所要的，給你成全吧！」她的女兒就在那時候好起來了。

一、中心內容：

內容：
01>主耶穌離開加利利，避到泰爾和西頓附近地區去。（v21）
²¹Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. (v21)
02>當地有個迦南（外邦）女子來見主耶穌，請求主耶穌救她那被鬼附的女兒。(v 22）
²²A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." (v22)

03>主耶穌故意以緘默、推辭、冷言冷語，來試驗這位外邦女子的信心。（v23-26）
To test her faith, Jesus purposefully responded with silence, refusal and apathy. (v23-26)
04>這位外邦女子，鍥而不捨得精神，終於通過了信心的考驗。（v27）
By perseverance, she passed the test of her faith. (v27)
05>主耶穌不僅稱讚這位女人的信心，並且醫治了她的女兒。（v28）

The Lord Jesus commended the woman’s faith and healed her daughter. (v28)

主題：
1>迦南婦女的信心。The Canaanite woman’s faith
2>因信心得醫治。Being healed through faith

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>處事充滿智慧的耶穌基督。（v21）Jesus was wise in all His deeds. (v21)
2>順從上帝帶領的耶穌基督。（v21）Jesus obeyed God’s leading. (v21)
3>大衛的子孫（人子）耶穌基督。（v22）Jesus was the descendant of David. (22)
4>施行醫治神蹟的耶穌基督。（v28）Jesus performed healing miracles. (v28)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

1>順從上帝的帶領 Obey God’s leading
耶穌離開那地方，避到泰爾和西頓附近地區去。（v21）

²¹Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. (v21)
主 耶穌在世上的年日，都完全順從上帝的帶領。此時，祂避開加利利，來到泰爾和西頓附近地區。表面上的原因，可能為了避免法利賽人進一步的干擾，甚至避開正面 的衝突，也可能是為了尋找一個安靜的處所，可以單獨與天父親近。但是，實際上，在祂一生當中所作的每一個決定，甚至所走的每一步路，都完全順從上帝的帶 領。
身為基督徒的我們，應該效法主耶穌的樣式，將一生的路途，交託在上帝手中，學習聆聽上帝的聲音，謙卑順服聖靈的帶領，就必經歷祂奇妙的作為。

All His days on earth, Jesus obeyed God’s leading. At this time, He withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Maybe He did not want to be bothered by the Pharisees or to be in conflict with them. Maybe He wanted to be in solitude, so that He could be alone with God. As a matter of fact, every decision that He had made, every step of His way had been submissive to God’s leading.

We, as Christians, should emulate Jesus’ example. We should entrust the path of our life into God’s hands, learn to hear from God, to be humble and submissive to the leading of the Holy Spirit’s leading, then, we will experience His deeds of wonder.
反省：我人生的道路怎麼走？自己決定？父母安排？他人意見？或尋求上帝？
Reflection: How should I deal with my life? Should it be a decision of my own? Or is it to be arranged by my parents? Or is it subjected to other’s opinion? Or should I seek God?
2>迦南婦女的呼聲 The cry of a Canaanite woman
當地的一個迦南女人來見他，喊著說：主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！我的女兒被鬼附著，痛苦不堪。（v22）

²²A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." (v22)

當主耶穌避開加利利，來到泰爾和西頓附近地區的時候，立刻有一個迦南的婦女來見祂，同時喊著說：主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！我的女兒被鬼附著，痛苦不堪。
這個迦南婦女，背負著女兒被鬼附的痛苦，顯示：家庭有著急切的需要，女兒急切需要幫助、急切需要醫治、急切需要釋放、急切需要自由。當聽到主耶穌到來的消息之後，便一路跟隨，而且大聲呼喊：主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！這是來自迦南婦女的呼聲。

After Jesus came to the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a Canaanite woman came to see Him crying that her daughter was suffering terribly from demon-possession. This woman was in sorrow because of her daughter’s situation. There was a great need in her house. Her daughter was in need of help, healing, deliverance and freedom. This woman followed Jesus all the way right after His arrival.
反省：今天在生活周遭，我聽見任何需要醫治、需要釋放、需要扶持的呼聲嗎？
Reflection: Do I hear cries that are in need of healing, deliverance and support?
3>耶穌是唯一盼望 Jesus is the only hope
地的一個迦南女人來見他，喊著說：主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！我的女兒被鬼附著，痛苦不堪。（v22）
這位迦南的婦女，有個女兒被鬼附。被附的時間究竟有多長，我們不得而知。但是我們卻知道，這件事不僅讓女孩飽受折磨，也使母親深感痛苦。在過去的歲月裏，相信他們必定作過各方的努力，但是卻依然毫無功效。甚至一切指望，都即將破滅！
就在此時，主耶穌的到來，為這位婦女帶來無限的希望。因此，她高聲呼喊著：主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！主耶穌成為這位婦女，在絕望中唯一的盼望！

See verse 22.

We do not know how long her daughter had suffered. One thing we can be sure that it tortured both the woman and her daughter. They must have tried everything they could, but in vain. Their hope was about to die. Right there and then, Jesus was, it brought this woman a vivid hope. That’s when she cried out to Jesus.
反省：在我的生涯中，在我的際遇裏，曾經遭遇傷心、苦痛、絕望嗎？誰是我的盼望？
Reflection: Have I ever encountered sadness, pain and despair in my life? Who will be my hope?
4>事奉過程的迷失 Lost in service
門徒上來求他，說：請叫她走開！她跟著我們，一路喊叫呢！（v23b）

Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." (v23b)
當這位迦南婦女，前來求告主耶穌的時候，門徒曾經請求主耶穌打發她離開，因為她一路跟隨、不斷喊叫，使門徒感到厭煩。門徒之所以會有如此反應，可能因為尚未察覺這位婦女的需要，也可能心中根本缺乏憐憫的心。
不管如何，當時門徒的反應，可以成為我們的殷鑑。我們往往也會因為太過於專注或忙碌在事工當中，導致忽略了接受我們服事的人真正的需要。尤其當我們對有需要的人存有偏見，或對方帶給我們麻煩、對我們造成干擾時，往往容易產生如同門徒一樣的反應。

Jesus’ disciples asked Him to send the woman away, because she was noisy. They thought that she was a nuisance. Maybe they did not sense the woman’s need. Maybe they were just callous.

Nonetheless, we need to be cautious, not to become like them. Their response to the woman will be a warning to us. We tend to be ignorant of people’s needs while we are busy serving. Sometimes, we hold prejudice against people; other times, we do not want to be bothered or interrupted. It becomes a common response toward others for us, just like the disciples.
反省：我是否太過專注於事工？我對人的需要敏感嗎？我對人曾經感到厭煩嗎？
Reflection: Do I focus too much on serving? Am I sensitive to others’ needs? Am I impatient towards others?
5>越挫越勇的信心 A faith could not be intimidated
這位迦南婦女，為了女兒的緣故，向主耶穌懇求醫治的過程中，遭遇不少的挫折。其所遭遇的挫折，大致整理如下：

The woman encountered many obstacles as follows:
1>不理不睬：針對這位婦女的懇求，剛開始的時候，主耶穌並未作任何回應。這種不理不睬的態度，對這位婦女來說，無疑是一大挑戰。

No response: At first, Jesus did not respond. It was a challenge to her.
2>頗為反感：門徒對這位婦女的表現頗為反感。因此，對主耶穌說：這位婦女跟在後面一路宣嚷，最好能將她打發離開。

Disgust: The disciples felt against her actions. Thus, they asked Jesus to send her away.

3>刻意推辭：針對門徒的建議，主耶穌特別強調，祂來的主要任務是：在以色列人當中尋找迷失的羊。這位婦女因為是外邦人，所以不是主耶穌關懷的對象。

Deliberate refusal: In response to their request, Jesus emphasized His mission on earth was to seek for the lost sheep of Israel and not the Gentiles. This woman was a Gentile, thus she was not subjected to His care.
4>冷言冷語：當這位婦女鍥而不捨的懇求，甚至不惜向主耶穌下拜，且說：主啊！幫助我！主耶穌竟然以「不好拿兒女的餅給夠吃」作為回覆。將該婦女形容為狗，這種尖酸刻薄的話語，對這位婦女的信心與熱忱，彷彿潑了一盆冷水。

Callosity: She was not giving up at all; she fell prostrate before Jesus to ask for help. Jesus answered her with coldness, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." He implied that she was a dog. Such sarcastic words were like putting salt on a wound. The sarcasm was like a bucket of iced-water washing down her faith and sincerity.
顯然，這位婦女的信心是十分堅定的，甚是至越挫越勇，得不著絕不放手！

Her faith was apparently firm and solid which could not intimidated. It was a faith of not giving up.
反省：比起這位迦南的婦女，我的信心如何呢？我的意志如何？是否覺得汗顏？
Reflection: Compared to this woman’s faith, what about my faith? Am I strong-minded? Am I ashamed of it?
6>通過考驗的信心 A faith that passed the test
耶穌一句話也不回答。門徒上來求他，說：「請叫她走開！她跟著我們，一路喊叫呢！」耶穌回答：「我奉差遣只去尋找以色列人中迷失的羊。」那女人一聽見這話，就在他的腳前下拜，說：「主啊，請幫助我！」耶穌說：「拿兒女的食物給小狗吃是不對的。」（v23-26）

See verses 23-26.
主耶穌對這位婦女的態度，首先不理不睬，接著似乎拒之於千里之外，然後又是一陣冷言冷語。以上這些態度，看似冷漠、看似拒絕、看似歧視，其實通通不是。
主耶穌之所以用這樣的態度，真正的用意，是要考驗這位婦女的信心。因為主耶穌深知她的信心是堅定的，她的意志是堅強的。因此，故意藉著一連串的考驗，來呈現這位外邦婦女信心的可貴。
另外，我們也發現，這位婦女終於通過了考驗。因為主耶穌最後稱讚她說：婦人，你的信心好大呀！照你所要的，給你成全吧！她的女兒就在那時候好起來了。

Judging from Jesus’ response, it seemed like He was callous toward her; he was refusing and discriminating her. As a matter of fact, it was not what we think.

In fact, He was testing her faith. He knew quite well that her faith and mind were solid and firm. It was through such tests that her faith was manifested. Such faith was beautiful and precious. At the end, Jesus commended her faith and healed her daughter.
反省：我的信心是否經過任何考驗？如果我是那位迦南的婦女，面對這樣的情境，結果會是如何？早就拂袖而去？或依然堅持到底？
Reflection: Has my faith encountered any test? What would the outcome be, if I were the Canaanite woman? Would I give up and go away? Would I persist and persevere?
7>耶穌是普世救主 Jesus is the Savior to the world
當地的一個迦南女人來見他，喊著說：主啊，大衛之子，可憐我吧！我的女兒被鬼附著，痛苦不堪。（v22）於是耶穌說：婦人，你的信心好大呀！照你所要的，給你成全吧！她的女兒就在那時候好起來了。（v28）

See verse 22 and 28.
這一個醫治事件，就當時的社會情境來說，具有非常特別的意義。因為主耶穌所關懷的對象，並不具有猶太血統。這個婦女的身份尤其特殊，她不僅是外邦女子而已，甚至是跟猶太人成為世仇的迦南人。
雖然身份如此特殊，但是主耶穌不僅接受她的懇求，醫治了她那被鬼附的女兒，甚至還誇獎她的信心這麼大。主耶穌這一連串的舉措，就當時來說，實在令人感到不可思議！然而卻顯示：主耶穌不只是猶太人的救主而已，祂乃是普世、萬民、萬族的救主！

It had a special meaning to heal in a society of that time. The one whom Jesus cared for was not of Jewish blood. The woman was not only a Gentile; she was also a Canaanite, an enemy of the Jews.

With such an identity, her cry was answered and her daughter was healed by Jesus. Jesus even commended her faith. It was unbelievable to people back then. However, it showed that Jesus was a Savior not only to the Jews, but also to the people of all nations.
反省：主耶穌不只是基督徒的救主，祂更是佛教徒、回教徒、道教徒---的救主。身為基督徒的我，尤其信主久遠，成為老信徒之後，是否心中只有主內弟兄姊妹？還是如同主耶穌一樣，擁有寬廣的心胸，關懷各個宗教的信徒？
Reflection: Jesus is a Savior to the Christians. He is also a Savior to the Buddhists, Muslim followers and Taoists. Being a Christian for a long time, do I care about my brothers and sisters in the Lord only? Or am I as open as the Lord Jesus that I care for other religions’ believers?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用