Jesus Can Week 5: The Test Message Summary: One of the oddest moments in Jesus’ healing ministry happens with a foreign woman with a suffering daughter. What appears, at first glance, to be an unkind Jesus is really a reminder of the importance of a humble heart, especially when asking God for miraculous help. The Canaanite woman passed the test. May we join her in her humble request. A Wedding, Two Visitors, and A Goat’s Head… ✦ Matthew 15:21-28 — Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said. “Yet 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. ✦ Did you catch why “Jesus can” for her? ❖ It’s her humility. ✦ Did you catch why Jesus “can’t” for others? ❖ It’s their pride. ✦ The Test: Who do you relate to most? ❖ The humble and the desperate like the Canaanite? ❖ The proud and the judgmental like the disciples? ✦ Answer: It’s how you see Jesus and the worst kind of people. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Is there anyone you can envision feeling uncomfortable worshipping with? In this account of the Syrophoenician woman, what does Jesus’ grace to her teach us? GROUP — As we gather in in fewer numbers during the week ahead, the temptation may be to distance ourselves from others in our lives. How do we overcome this temptation while keeping necessary boundaries intact, so we don’t enable unhealthy behaviors? GROW — What could we meditate on and pray for so that we always approach God and view others with humble hearts? GIVE — Who are the most unlikely people you would seek out to help? Why? After envisioning such a crowd and interaction, pray that the Lord would give you a way to serve them. GO — Who are the most unlikely people you would invite to hear more about Jesus? Ask that the Lord would inspire you to find a way to reach out and invite them to 922 Ministries. Homework: Matthew 26:26-29 & 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 (Hashtags: Faith, Miracles, Humility)