Are You at the Table with Jesus? | Matthew 15:21-39
Series: All!
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-39
Title: “Are you at the table with Jesus?” (Darien Gabriel)
Heavily relied on David Platt, Kenneth Bailey, and Sean O’Donnell. (See below)
Bottom line: Jesus’ beloved are those who respond to his invitation to feast with him by grace through faith.
Just as the Father sent Jesus to save, satisfy and serve, Jesus sends us to do the same. To multiply disciple-makers around the corner and around the world.
Jesus invited everyone to his family feast. You get in by faith. You’re invited. Are you going? It’s not just a one and done decision. It’s a daily, count-the-cost decision that leads to walking with (or without) God. That looks like being sent by Jesus to save, satisfy and serve our neighbors.
Discussion questions for group and personal study.
Reflect and Discuss
1. Like this Gentile Canaanite woman, what unlikely converts has God placed around you?
2. How have you doubted God's power and mercy in relation to such people?
3. How does Jesus' interaction with this Canaanite woman and His feeding of the Gentile crowd help forecast the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Q. What do I want you to know?
A. Jesus invites you to come and feast with him and his family by grace through faith.
Q. Why?
A. To empower us to save, satisfy and serve all peoples of all nations.
Q. What do I want you to do?
A. Accept his invitation by faith.
Q. Why?
A. So that you’ll be propelled to save, satisfy and serve your neighbors.
INTRO
Our kitchen table is sacred ground in our house to Anita and I. It’s where we’ve shared over 2,100 meals with our family of six plus for over 30 years. Sitting at the head of that table might be my favorite place in the house…maybe in the world.
Why? Because from there, when they are all in our house together, along with their growing families, I can see and speak to our closest family members. It is there where for a few seconds before we dive into our latest feast that I can pray another blessing over them and say an encouraging word to them. For a brief moment I have their undivided attention and I can remind them that they are our beloved.
Do you feel like Jesus’ beloved today?
In Rev 3:20, Jesus asks to come in and sit at our table. And while he’s there he will remind us that we’re his beloved and bless us.
Our Lord uses a similar metaphor in an unlikely place here today. He’s outside of Israel giving his 12 a peak at the future of his kingdom.
Today I want to answer 2 questions:
Who’s invited to sit at the table of the Lord?
How do you get there?
The final question I’ll have for you is: will you join him at his table today?
CONTEXT
Jesus and his disciples leave Israeli territory and go to Gentile territory. First, they go to Tyre and Sidon (modern day Lebanon). Next, they go to the decapolis (a region east of Judea made up of 10 Gentile cities). This marks the last time Jesus will do ministry in the Galilean region as his remaining ministry will happen in Judea and especially in Jerusalem. It is also the only season he will enter Gentile territory.
The religious leaders make a trip to where Jesus and his disciples are ministering to continue to confront him with the hopes of exposing him and condemning him.
Notice that this is in the wake of some pretty amazing miracles and teachings. He’s fed over 5,000 men plus women and children with a few loaves and fish. He’s walked on water across the Sea of Galilee. He continues to heal all who come to him including just by walking by them and they reaching out to touch his cloak. He’s gaining immense popularity as a result. He’s being seen as a Messiah if not THE Messiah by the populace. Even Canaanite women knows about him and that he’s the Messiah. As a result, the religious leaders are getting desperate. A leader like this will disrupt the status quo with Rome. And this means the loss of influence and affluence for the religious leaders of Israel.
All of this challenges the Disciples and their prejudices against Gentiles. Jesus takes them to Gentile (unclean) territory (after his lesson on what is unclean comes from your heart not from what you eat) and immediately blesses a Gentile (Canaanite = enemy; woman = less than a man) and her daughter. He then blesses thousands of Gentiles (through his D’s) just like he did the Jews earlier. This would help them to see that his vision is for more than Israel—it’s for the whole world!
2 Themes. 2 Miracles.
I. Who’s invited to the family feast? Everyone. (21-28)
A. Jesus takes them to Gentile territory. Not sure why but he isn’t getting away from being known and sought after.
B. Canaanite woman.
Strike 1–Canaanite. Ancient enemy of Israel.
Strike 2–Woman. Less than a man in the eyes of men in that day.
Strike 3–Gentile. A dog.
C. Model of faith.
Desperate. “Crying out” Her daughter “is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” I can’t imagine being demon possessed. But she makes it sound like this is worse than normal possessions.
Humble, respectful. Even if just being respectful, called him Lord.
Messiah. She uses the title for Messiah, “Son of David.”
D. Jesus’ & Disciples’ reactions
Jesus is silent.
Disciples are not interested in helping. (Everyone is exhausted and hungry) 3 Days.
Jesus replies with a discouraging word. But truth.
She doesn’t disagree. In fact, she kneels and prays profoundly, “Lord, help me!”
Jesus again appears to discourage her. (More likely testing) Explains it’s not right to take what is for God’s people and give to those who are his enemies. Calls her a dog. A “little dog” like a pet, not a rabid dog. But still a dog.
She doesn’t flinch but does disagree. Points out that it’s appropriate for people to get this crumbs. She may not be the kids at the table but there’s room for the pet dog to get some. She understands and therefore knows what’s available for her. Great faith!
What a contrast to the faith (or lack) of the religious leaders (none) and the 12 (little).
Why did Jesus ignore, refuse, rebuke and then bless her? 2 possibilities:
To test her
She approached Jesus as a Jew (Son of David). Later she calls him Lord which is more universal. She doesn’t have to become a Jew first. (Wiersbe)
Jesus applauds her amazing faith. Only 2 people get this accolade in Matthew (Centurion is the other).
Jesus answers her prayer without going anywhere.
II. How do you get in? Faith. (29-39)
A. Feels like a repeat of feeding of the 5,000. Lots of things are this same.
Thousands of men + women and children.
Bread and fish.
Gave, gave, gave.
Through his 12.
Lots of leftovers.
B. Differences…a few.
Biggest is likely that this was for Gentiles, not Jews.
This is why I think the 12 did not suggest he feed them like he just fed the others. I don’t think it was a lack of faith but compassion. My take.
One in spring and one in summer.
One in Jewish territory and one in Gentile territory.
Crowd with him one day vs 3 days.
7 instead of 12.
12 tribes of Israel
7 number of perfection & completeness = rest of the world; this is a huge takeaway Jesus would emphasize in the Great Commission.
C. Bottom line: How do you get healed and fed? Faith in Jesus Christ, the source of abundant life and life itself.
CONCLUSION
Have you been invited to the family feast to end all feasts? Yes.
Have you accepted it? How? By believing that there is an amazing feast that we do not deserve and that when we trust and follow Jesus Christ, he shows us the way there.
Will you trust and follow Jesus to the feast today?
What is God saying to you? What are you going to do about it?
Pray
NOTES
2 miracles
Canaanite Woman (21-28)
Least, last, lost
Canaanite/Gentile/ancient enemy of Israel
Woman
Unclean—outside of Disciple’s comfort zone
“Crying out”
Desperate for her daughter—demon-possessed and suffering
“Have mercy on me!” - desperate for herself too
Human—she’s just like them just not a Jew
Disciples reaction is to see her great need vs their great lack of resources; but maybe even more they don’t want to help her because of their prejudice
Send her away—she’s not one of us
She’s crazy desperate and Jesus seems to not want to help her (his silence) so they try to get rid of her for Jesus
Jesus comes out with his mission—to the lost sheep of Israel
She is persistent, desperate and believes in Jesus’ character and competencies
“Lord”
On her knees humility
Wise words and perspective
Jesus recognizes great faith and gives her her request
Healing for daughter
Healing for herself
Witness to the Decapolis
Who is Jesus and what will he do?
Who is Jesus?
What will he do?
Chief missionary, Disciple-maker/trainer, sent-one
Multiplying disciple-makers on his way to the ultimate example (cross, rez)
Lord/Son of David/ King/Messiah/Master
Exercising ultimate authority over all things including disease, demons, disciple-making
Merciful judge “Have mercy on me” as if she doesn’t deserve it
Exercising ultimate authority over all things including disease, demons, disciple-making
Deliverer/Savior/Healer
Save/Deliver; Exalt Gentile woman; Applauds her faith & persistence; save all people; not just Israel
Global King
Here for all nations
Suffering servant
Serve all people/nations
Provider; Groom
Feast together; satisfy/bless all nations
Jesus came to save, satisfy and serve all people. -Platt
OUTLINE BIBLE
SECTION OUTLINE FOURTEEN (MATTHEW 15)
Jesus confronts the Pharisees, teaches the crowds, and explains his teachings to Peter and the other disciples. He heals a Canaanite woman's daughter and feeds the 4,000.
1. THE MEETINGS (15:1-20)
A. Jesus' meeting with the Pharisees (15:1-9)
1. Their accusation (15:1-2): They accuse Jesus of breaking the
Mosaic law by permitting his disciples to ignore the ceremonial hand washing ritual before eating.
2. His condemnation (15:3-9)
a. Jesus speaks concerning their corruption (15:3-6): The Pharisees twist God's law in such a way that it allows them to ignore their responsibilities concerning their parents!
b. Jesus speaks concerning their character (15:7-9): Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites and says they fulfill Isaiah's terrible prophecy concerning them (Isa. 29:13).
B. Jesus' meeting with the people (15:10-11): Jesus tells the crowd that uncleanness is not caused by what goes into a person's mouth (nonkosher food) but rather by what comes out!
C. Jesus' meeting with Peter (15:12-20): He says the same thing to Peter and the disciples.
II. THE MIRACLES (15:21-39)
A. Healing a Canaanite woman's daughter (15:21-28)
1. The brokenhearted mother (15:21-23)
a. The place (15:21): Jesus is in the region of Tyre and Sidon.
b. The plea (15:22-23): A mother in this area begs him to heal her demon-possessed daughter.
2. The kindhearted Messiah (15:24-28)
a. His reminder (15:24-26): He tells her that his key ministry is to the Jews, not the Gentiles.
b. Her response (15:27-28)
(1) The reasoning (15:27): She agrees but asks for some of the crumbs that might fall from Israel's spiritual table.
(2) The reward (15:28): Jesus immediately grants her request.
B. Feeding the 4,000 (15:29-39): Jesus ministers to this group of 4,000 men as he did previously for the 5,000.
1. Meeting the needs of the hurting (15:29-31): Jesus heals the lame, blind, crippled, and the mute.
2. Meeting the needs of the hungry (15:32-39)
a. The amount of food (15:32-34): He has only seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes.
b. The abundance of food (15:35-39): Seven full baskets remain after all have eaten their fill!
Nicky Gumbel, Bible in one year, day, 14
Matthew 11:16-30
Accept the invitation to walk with Jesus
The teaching of Jesus is fascinating. In the first section of today’s passage he seems to be saying, ‘You can’t win.’ On the one hand, John the Baptist was an ascetic and was accused of being demon-possessed. On the other hand, Jesus went to parties with all kinds of people and made friends with those who were regarded as unsavoury characters. He was accused of being ‘a glutton and a drunkard’ and ‘a friend of tax collectors and sinners’ (v.18).
Whatever you do may be misinterpreted. Yet Jesus adds, ‘But wisdom is proved right by her actions’ (v.19). I take this to mean that all we can do is the right thing and not worry about what anybody else thinks. ‘Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating’ (v.19, MSG).
Jesus then denounces the cities that he has visited and performed miracles in, where people have neither repented nor believed. He suggests that their sin is worse than the sin of Sodom (v.24). The sin of unbelief is perhaps the most serious of all.
Jesus goes on to teach in such a way that it is clear that he believed in both predestination (that God has already determined everything that will happen) and free will. He teaches both alongside one another. It is a paradox. The two seemingly contradictory things are both true at the same time.
It is not 50% ‘predestination’ and 50% ‘free will’. Jesus says we are 100% predestined and we have 100% free will. This may seem impossible, but God is able to transcend and yet not distort human freedom. We ultimately see this in the incarnation: Jesus is 100% God and 100% human; he is fully God and fully human.
Predestination
‘All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him’ (v.27).
Why God chooses to reveal himself to some and not to others is a mystery. It is certainly not based on wisdom and learning. Sometimes the great intellectuals simply cannot see it: ‘you have hidden these things from the wise and learned’ (v.25). And yet sometimes people of little or no education, or those who are very young (‘little children’, v.25), seem to have a very profound understanding of Jesus. ‘You’ve concealed your way from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people’ (v.25, MSG).
Free will
Jesus says, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (v.28). The invitation to come to Jesus is for everyone. No one is excluded. We are all invited. We all have a choice whether to accept the invitation of Jesus or to refuse it.
I find it difficult to get my mind around this paradox. However, I have found the following illustration helpful. Imagine a room with an arched doorway. The outside of the arch is inscribed with the words, ‘Come to me, all you…’ (v.28). Everyone is invited into the room. When you get into the room, on the inside of the same arch is written, ‘No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him’ (v.27b).
In other words, free will is a doctrine for everyone. No one can say, ‘I am not going to become a Christian because I have not been chosen.’ The invitation is to all. On the other hand, predestination is a doctrine of assurance for those who areChristians. Once you have accepted the invitation and entered, you can know that God has chosen you and therefore he will not let you go.
I love the fact that in a stressful world, where so many are ‘weary and burdened’, Jesus promises you rest. He offers to take your burdens and replace them with his own.
The yoke (something that Jesus would have made in the carpenter's shop) was a wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) at the neck, enabling them to pull a plough or wagon together. The function of the yoke is to make burdens easier to carry. I love this image of walking in step with Jesus, sharing our burdens, making the trials to be endured and the battles to be faced ‘easy’ and ‘light’ by comparison.
Jesus is not a slave driver. When you pursue his agenda for your life you carry a burden but it is ‘not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant’ (v.30, AMP). When you do what Jesus asks you to do, he gives you the strength and wisdom to do it and you carry his burden with him. There will, of course, be many challenges and difficulties, but there will also be a lightness and ease.
Jesus says to you: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’ (vv.28–29, MSG). Just relax and let God be God.
References/Bibliography:
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)
ESV Study Bible
“Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” by Kenneth E. Bailey