The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-02
Matt. XIV, 21-31.

REJECTION. Jesus paid no attention
to the plcader, but moved along the high
way in silence. In like manner but with
different motive lie received the words
of Plate (Matt XVI, So. Nothing can
be more dlscouragng than apparent in
difference, and yet the Syro-Hhenecian
woman did not abandon her case. She
turned to the disciples. with cntreaty,
hoping to secure their intercesslon. But
they were unsympathetiC, ana being an
nOyed by her repeated cries, besuught
Jesus to send her away (versc 2N. They
cared more for their comfort than for
her trouble and desired to be rid of her
by any method. Their seltisnness, how
ever, relieved the situation somewhat, for
Jesus spoke, declaring to them that He
was sent only to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel (verse 2D. That was
complete rejection of the suppiant as be-
yond the limits of our Saviour's ministry.
If the disciples had not previously under
stood the limitation John t. IL, they cer-
tanly did atterward, and made it the
basis of important teaching Ulom XIV, ~,
they were also confined in the same way
during His life time Matt. X, 81.
IMPORTANTLY Master and His
disciples moved on and entered into a
house, where they hoped to be alone un-
known mark vii, 2), But in short
time the woman was there Breaking
through all conventional barriers she
Frustrated herself at the feet of Jesus,
assuming the attitude of an humble in
feriOr, and cried out Lord. help me-
Verse 2j). The Savlours reply appears
cold and severe, "It is not meet to take
the Childrens bread" meaning the good
things that belong to the Jews, land cast
it TO the dogs" (verse 26), meaning the
as tIN
nated Matt. vii, @. Thus lie held the
same position as when He replied to the
disciples by the way. What before lie
ella med to be unlawful because of His
mission lie now urges as improper. The
two sentences are two sides of one great
truth-the first offer of the Gospel was to
be made to the children of Abraham CActs
, Iii 2Gl. The woman was not offended at
| the title applied to her, neither dishCart-
| enod by the rejection. Confesshg her
| self as outside the covenant she takes up
! the figure used by Christ, and renews her
plea, 1.-THE dogs eat the crumbs Cverse 20.
he would deprive the children of nothing.
! She only sought the fragments which
/ they did not need. 1t was a beautiful
| sally of wit.
| REWARD.-The suit was at last gained
! jesus could no longer withhold His pow
! or. Instantly He wrought in the distant
I heather home, commanding the demon to
! release his grasp upon the daughter
! Ozark vii, 29-3O). Turning to the mother
| lie changed His style of speech. 20
/ woman He said, as if aStonished and
| pleased great is thy faith (verse ZSJ.
| 1t is probable that His former words, ap-
! parcntly unkind, were intended to bring
| out the exhibition which He now COM
/ mcnds. There were several admirable
| elements in her faith. she believed that
| Jesus was Lord and Christ. a belief that
| came very slowly into the minds of the
| apostles (Matt xvi, 10. She believed
| that He was able to relieve her daughter,
| that He had power over evil spirits. She
| believed that, although Jew with a mis-
sion only to Jews, He might do good to
| Gcntiles. She believed all this so firmly
| that, although rejected four times, she
still pleaded her case, humbling herself
in the last instance to the lowest place to
| accept the least gift. Here was an
| overcoming faith q John V, A. 1t is no