I know I haven't posted much lately but between moving, spending a week getting my computer to decide it could be friends with the internet again, and just being busy in general, time just kind of slipped away. Yesterday was Mother's Day, and I had the opportunity to preach at Tabernacle which was an awesome experience with so many friends and family there. But in that message, we looked at 7 marks of a great mother so to extend the appreciation for mothers, I figured we could hit on one of those each day this week. The full text I used is that of the Canaanite Woman found in Matthew 15:21-28.
"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.'" - Matthew 15:21-22
Mark #1 - Great mothers overcome all barriers.
This mother overcame the barrier of inferiority. Early on in this passage it tells us that she is a woman. In ancient Israel, women's rights and privileges were greatly restricted. They spent the majority of their lives under the control of a man; either their father when they were in his household, and then on to their husband once they were married. But women were not treated equally during this time, so for her to request something of a man, much less Jesus, was a step in overcoming.
She also overcame the barrier of diversity. She is a Gentile and Canaanite. The Jews looked down so much on Gentiles during this time and considered them unspiritual and unclean people, so much so that just being in their presence could make you unclean. Nor did the Canaanites and Israelites get along very well, even having hostile outbreaks at different times. Jesus knew that taking going into Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon would lead to an encounter with Gentiles and he was prepared to teach his disciples an important lesson here. He would also go on in his ministry to shatter many barriers based on sex, status, and origin.
So this mother overcame inferiority and diversity, but what barriers are standing in your way today? - Time? Are we too busy focus on worldly things and achievements to focus on our spiritual needs?
- Or what about culture? Sometimes I look and think that it would have been easier to be a Christian in Jesus' day when there wasn't drugs, sex, internet and TV to distract and tempt us. But I have to believe that the God who is the alpha and omega knew what the people then were facing, knows what we are facing, and knows what our children will face. And are we being too politically correct because of our culture. If we quote scripture or stand up for our Christian beliefs we are accused of hating people. I love people and want them to go to heaven, and in order for that to happen they must repent of sin and accept Christ. If the media doesn't understand that then that's their loss. Christ doesn't change with culture, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
- And this one is a difficult barrier for me, pride. How tightly do we hold on to our pride when we need help with an issue? This mother came before Jesus kneeling and crying out for help. She had swallowed her pride because she knew she need Him. She was willing to publicly kneel and cry for help, yet many of us aren't willing to kneel before the Lord in pray in the safety and privacy of our homes and churches.
"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.'" - Matthew 15:21-22
Mark #1 - Great mothers overcome all barriers.
This mother overcame the barrier of inferiority. Early on in this passage it tells us that she is a woman. In ancient Israel, women's rights and privileges were greatly restricted. They spent the majority of their lives under the control of a man; either their father when they were in his household, and then on to their husband once they were married. But women were not treated equally during this time, so for her to request something of a man, much less Jesus, was a step in overcoming.
She also overcame the barrier of diversity. She is a Gentile and Canaanite. The Jews looked down so much on Gentiles during this time and considered them unspiritual and unclean people, so much so that just being in their presence could make you unclean. Nor did the Canaanites and Israelites get along very well, even having hostile outbreaks at different times. Jesus knew that taking going into Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon would lead to an encounter with Gentiles and he was prepared to teach his disciples an important lesson here. He would also go on in his ministry to shatter many barriers based on sex, status, and origin.
So this mother overcame inferiority and diversity, but what barriers are standing in your way today? - Time? Are we too busy focus on worldly things and achievements to focus on our spiritual needs?
- Or what about culture? Sometimes I look and think that it would have been easier to be a Christian in Jesus' day when there wasn't drugs, sex, internet and TV to distract and tempt us. But I have to believe that the God who is the alpha and omega knew what the people then were facing, knows what we are facing, and knows what our children will face. And are we being too politically correct because of our culture. If we quote scripture or stand up for our Christian beliefs we are accused of hating people. I love people and want them to go to heaven, and in order for that to happen they must repent of sin and accept Christ. If the media doesn't understand that then that's their loss. Christ doesn't change with culture, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
- And this one is a difficult barrier for me, pride. How tightly do we hold on to our pride when we need help with an issue? This mother came before Jesus kneeling and crying out for help. She had swallowed her pride because she knew she need Him. She was willing to publicly kneel and cry for help, yet many of us aren't willing to kneel before the Lord in pray in the safety and privacy of our homes and churches.
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