The Woman Set Free Matthew 15:21-28 and Luke 13:10-17
We reflect on two powerful accounts of women who encountered Jesus and experienced profound liberation: the Canaanite woman, who crossed cultural boundaries with unwavering faith, and the bent woman, bound by affliction within the very walls of the synagogue. Their stories reveal Jesus' heart for those in need of deliverance and the transformative power of faith and compassion.
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1. Jesus Goes to Meet Those Who Need Deliverance (Matthew 15:21)
"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon." Jesus' journey to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory, demonstrates His willingness to cross geographical and cultural borders to reach those in suffering. He did not confine His ministry to one people group but extended His compassion to all who were in need, highlighting the universal scope of His love and power to deliver.
2. Faith that Breaks Religious and Cultural Barriers (Matthew 15:22)
"A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.'" Despite being a Gentile, a people group often viewed with disdain by the Jews, the Canaanite woman recognized Jesus' true identity as the "Son of David" and cried out to Him in faith. Her desperate plea transcended cultural and religious barriers, demonstrating that genuine faith can arise from any background and access the power of God.
3. Woman Has Perseverance In The Face Of God’s Silence (Matthew 15:23)
"But he did not answer her a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, 'Send her away, for she is crying out after us.'" The Canaanite woman's initial plea was met with silence from Jesus. This silence could have been discouraging, yet she did not give up. Her persistent cries and unwavering faith, even in the face of divine silence and the disciples' impatience, illustrate that true deliverance often requires persistent faith that refuses to be deterred.
4. The Faith and Humility that Moves the Heart of God (Matthew 15:27-28)
"‘Yes, Lord,’ she said, ‘but 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." The Canaanite woman's humble yet sharp response, acknowledging her seemingly lowly position but clinging to the possibility of even the smallest blessing from Jesus, moved His heart. Her profound faith and humility were the keys to her daughter's deliverance. She was exalted for her persistent and humble faith, and her daughter was set free instantaneously.
5. Liberation Also Reaches Oppressed Women Within the Church (Luke 13:10-11)
"On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all." The account of the bent woman reveals that oppression and suffering can exist even within religious environments. For eighteen long years, this woman was bound by a crippling spirit within the very place where people gathered to worship. This reminds us that the need for liberation is not limited to those outside the church but can also be present among those who are seemingly within its walls.
6. Jesus Sees Your Pain Woman and Calls You By Name (Luke 13:12)
"When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.'" Jesus did not overlook the bent woman's condition. He saw her in her affliction, called her forward, and addressed her directly, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." This personal attention and direct address highlight Jesus' intimate awareness of individual suffering and His initiative to bring deliverance. He sees our pain and calls us by name, offering release.
7. Jesus' Word Brings Immediate Deliverance (Luke 13:13)
"Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God." Jesus' touch and spoken word brought instantaneous and visible healing to the bent woman. The years of her physical bondage were broken in a moment. Her immediate response was to straighten up and glorify God publicly. This demonstrates the immediate and transformative power of Jesus' word and touch to bring complete liberation and inspire praise.
- Woman Who Sees Miracles: The Healing of the Widow of Nain's Son Luke 7:11-17.
- The women who anointed Jesus
- Women growing in their knowledge of God and Scripture
- Sermons To Women: Preaching for Woman Ministry
Therefore, brothers and sisters, let the stories of the Canaanite woman and the bent woman encourage us. They reveal a Savior who crosses boundaries to meet those in need, honors persistent and humble faith, sees our pain, calls us by name, and whose word brings immediate and complete deliverance. May we, like these women, reach out to Jesus with unwavering faith, knowing that He has the power and the compassion to set us free from whatever binds us, both within and without. Amen.
