Matthew 15:21-28 - Homiletics

Departure from the Holy Land.

I. THE JOURNEY NORTHWARDS .

1 . The Lord leaves Galilee. He had been teaching there long, perhaps for two years. At first there had been a time of dazzling popularity. The strange dignity of his personality, the Divine authority of his words, the singular originality of his teaching, the pure holiness of his perfect life, his many deeds of love and mercy and power, had drawn multitudes around him. The world was going after him, the Pharisees said; their opposition seemed useless; they prevailed nothing. It seemed as if there would be no failures, no discouragements; but a steady progress, success after success, till he should be raised to the throne of his father David, and reign as the King Messiah with undisputed sway over his people Israel. But it was not to be so; a change was coming. The Lord's popularity had excited the intense hostility of the Pharisees; it threatened their influence, their authority. They conspired against him. They had apparently procured his exclusion from the synagogues of Judaea; they were now driving him from those of Galilee. Their opposition was gathering strength, bitterness, determination. The Lord's followers must not look for popularity; if it comes, they must not be dazzled with it, they must not count on its continuance; it comes and it goes. The multitude are uncertain, fickle; they soon weary of those whom they once admired. Christ, the beloved Master, was sometimes popular, sometimes despised and rejected of men; his servants must be content to share the Master's lot. There must be disappointments and discouragements in pastoral work; this mortal life is full of changes. Let the Christian seek, not success, not human praise, but righteousness and the praise which cometh from God to those who serve him with a single heart.

2 . He departs into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. Driven from the Holy Land, he retires to the heathen countries of the north, not for mission work, but for safety, for rest, for quiet intercourse with the twelve. The end of his earthly life was drawing near; he was preparing his disciples to carry on the work; they needed much teaching, much undisturbed communion with the Lord. It was for this purpose, apparently, that our Lord, as St. Mark tells us ( Mark 7:24 ), would have no man know where he was. It is a touching thought that the Lord found more safety in heathen lands than in his own country, among his own people.

II. THE WOMAN OF CANAAN .

1 . Her circumstances. She was a Greek, St. Mark tells us, that is, a Gentile; not one of God's chosen people, but a Gentile by birth, and, apparently, by religion. She was a Canaanite, too, living in Phoenicia; she was descended from the ancient enemies of Israel. She had no claim either of kindred or religion.

2 . Her trouble. Her young daughter had an unclean spirit; she was grievously vexed with a devil. The mother's heart was full of sorrow for her child. She knew not what to do; probably she had tried such modes of healing as were in vogue among her heathen neighbours—incantations, strange forms of exorcism. All was in vain. But she had heard of Christ; his fame had long ago gone throughout all Syria ( Matthew 4:24 ). Now the great Healer had come into her neighbourhood; she took the opportunity at once; she left her daughter at home; she came out, and sought the Lord.

3 . Her interview with Christ.

LESSONS .

1 . Do not value too highly the external signs of success; think more of duty than success.

2 . "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

3 . Be humble; to such God giveth grace.