Jesus’ Primary Mission: Part 4 of 16 - Rightly Dividing The Word Of God

Matthew 15:21-24

"Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

In Part 3 we saw that, in His first coming, Jesus was sent to minister TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.  Not that it was His only reason, but it was #1.  This is a critical piece of information if you're serious about learning how to "rightly divide."  

Many don't quite understand that, though all of scripture is profitable "FOR US," not all of it was written "TO US."  Think of it this way:  If you overheard your boss correcting a coworker, you would understand that he is not speaking "TO YOU" yet what is said can be of benefit "FOR YOU."  

It was only AFTER Israel rejected Jesus that He turned from them back to the Gentiles and brought salvation to the entire world.  This had been His intention from the very beginning.  By turning AWAY from Israel--temporarily--and TO the Gentiles, His hope was to provoke Israel to jealousy so that she would return and seek Him as her Messiah.  

The story of the Canaanite woman below so clearly demonstrates this truth.  
She was the one who's daughter was demon possessed.  Remember?  This woman had come to Jesus pretending to be a Jew, calling Him "Jesus, Son of David."  This is a phrase that only a Jew can use.  But no one can pretend before Jesus.  He knew who she was and said to her, “I was not sent except TO THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL." 

Ouch!  

In fact, later on, He also said, "Let the CHILDREN FIRST BE FED," children meaning the Jews. 
But....."Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'LORD HELP ME!' But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the CHILDREN'S BREAD (healing) and throw it to the little dogs.' And she said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs (puppies) eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.' Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O woman, GREAT IS YOUR FAITH! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.'"(Matthew 15:24-28 NKJV)

Jesus was no doubt smiling inside at her faith and humility.  Bear in mind, she was a Gentile; a Canaanite no less, from the cursed race of the Old Testament!  But did she get her miracle?  Yes!...AFTER she cried out, "Lord, help me!"  No more pretense.

Isn't He wonderful?  He healed her daughter, even though it wasn't time yet to deal with the Gentiles.  His Father had specifically sent Him to earth to fulfill all the promises that had been made to the fathers of the Jewish people.  This Gentile woman's faith, however, really caught His attention.  He gladly granted her request and gave her the miracle she had come seeking.  

Can you imagine what the Jewish people were thinking?  Bet more than a few were jealous!  But THAT'S MY GOD!!!

What an amazing story!  It's as if this woman went ahead of time by her faith.  Yes, the time would soon come for God to reach out to the Gentiles...but it was not yet because Jesus had not yet died.  There was still much to do in ministering to His earthly family; the Jews.

Please continue on to part 5 to see how, but more importantly WHY, Jesus’ ministry quite suddenly changed.

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-fundamental-change-in-jesus-ministry.html