Read: Matthew 15:21-31
Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith!” (v. 28)
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus and his disciples were in an area where most of the people did not know or worship God. The disciples weren’t familiar with the customs and culture and likely would have felt uncomfortable there. Then they met a woman whose daughter was “severely oppressed by a demon” (v. 22).
Jesus’s first response to her sounds puzzling: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 24). Was he making a point to everyone listening? Was he testing her? He said that as a non-Jewish person, she was not the focus of his ministry. But she was determined to find help for her hurting daughter. She said, in effect, “Whatever crumbs of goodness you are willing to throw to us will be enough.” And Jesus celebrated the woman’s faith and healed her daughter “instantly” (v. 28). Amazing!
Sometimes we think that witnessing is about bringing Jesus into our conversations and relationships. But here we’re reminded that God is always ahead of us. The woman already had an emerging trust that Jesus was her one true hope. To be a witness is to discern and celebrate where God is already at work. Where do you see God moving ahead and stirring people’s faith, questions, and longings?
As you pray, ask God to give you the eyes to see where he’s already at work in the places you go today and in your neighborhood. May he help you respond faithfully to the good work of his Spirit.
Rev. Titus Baraka is the executive director of Words of Hope Uganda. With more than forty years of experience as an evangelistic preacher and pastor, he is passionate about sharing the gospel.
Through radio programs of all types, from music, to Bible studies, to counseling, Words of Hope Uganda is claiming all assets of Ugandan society and culture for Christ. Words of Hope is empowering Ugandan pastors and churches to effectively nurture their people in the life of Christian discipleship. In the midst of this hard place, radio is bringing truly life-changing good news. To learn more about Words of Hope Uganda, visit our ministry pages.
