God’s Unmerited Favor

Published on Mar 7, 2024
Category: Behold!

Read: Matthew 15:21-39

Leaving that place, 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.

Matthew 15:21-22

God is gracious and bestows His free and unmerited favour on the unworthy.

This is the only account of Jesus visiting Tyre and Sidon. It would seem that His only divine appointment was to meet the need of this woman of faith and her afflicted daughter. A Greek speaking gentile woman from Syria/Phoenicia asks Jesus to heal her daughter. His response indicates that His blessings are only for the Jews. Her wise, humble, and faithful response earns His respect. Jesus rewards her faith and her daughter was healed from that hour (Matthew 15:28). What amazing grace.

Dear friend, possibly someone has whispered in your ear, Suppose you are not one of the elect. Well, that was very much what our Lord expression meant to her. Notice that this woman does not battle with that truth at all, she does not raise any question about it; she wisely waives it, and she just goes on praying, Lord, help me! Lord, have mercy upon me! I invite you, dear friend, to do just the same. (Spurgeon).

Faith that would not give up in a God who is gracious. Would you ask God to help you trust in Jesus even in the most severe of your tests? When you feel tired and you want to just give up would you ask God to help you to remember His Amazing Grace?

Scripture Writing: Ephesians 2:8-9

Song: Amazing Grace

Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

3 Comments
  1. Daisy Pradeep

    Matthew 5:21-22 ….Thanku dear Preethi for this …it helped me meditate on something so powerful,a Mother’s prayer for her child! Her pain and distress is clearly seen here . And inspite of being a gent le woman she knew only Jesus could heal 🙏🏻Her faith not only brought the desired healing but it opened up the pathway to show that Jesus came not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles as well

    Reply
    • Preethi Alice Jacob

      Yes indeed Daisy, what an encouragement to believe in the Lord Jesus as she did. Thank you

      Reply

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