The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-10-17

me VIII In no wise cast out."-John
6:37
Chronologically the incident of the
centurions servent precedes that OF
the Syrophenician woman, though we
Will look at them in the order sug-
gested. The one incident occurs near
the border OF Tyre and Sidon, prob
ably about May or June, A. D. 20, and
the other In Capernaum during the
summer of A. D. %. Both are Incl
dents in the life of Jesus that have
to do with his ministry as the Hebrew
Messiah to those who were outside Of
the pale Of Judaism.
At the beginning of Marks record
". 24) we have wonderful sugges-
ton as to the strain OF Jesus. ministry
and the accompanying lesson that
true righteousness cannot be hid, 1t
speaks for itself.
There are four uses of the word
answered" In Matthews record Of
this incident (Matt. 15:21.2S) that are
suggestive. Let US first, however, get
the setting. This woman was Greek
"A Gentle; by race she was a Sy-
rophenician, that is, Canaanite
Thus she was descendant Of that
race whom God, by the hand OF Josh
VA, had driven out to make room for
the Hebrew nation, and as such 10
under the ban of God See Eph. 2:12
Yet this woman reaches Jesus, her
trouble being that her daughter is
possessed by an unclean spirit At
her approach she takes lowly place
at Jesus feet and requests that he
heal the child. She calls him the
Son Of David" and He answered
her not word" Matt. 1928. She
had no claim upon him as the Mes
siah. This was the wrong footing. for
she was not child of the kingdom
1t was her need that drove her to-
him. How she had heard of him 10
suggested In Mark 8:8 and 7:24, Ct.
Rom. 1917. There are some ques-
ton that silence will not answer. A
wrong conclusion will be reached, as
In this case the disciples came to u
wrong conclusion and desired to
send her away" Contrast Jesus
patience with the disciples impa-
tience, "she crieth after US" and en-
phasize the danger of external judg-
ment. There are many great moral
issues today that are demanding an
other answer than that of silence.
The Answer Of Law.
Jesus then made a second answer,
the answer Of law, Matthew 1924, In
which he accepts her estimate OF him
rs the Jewish Messiah. His work
was primarily to the Jews (John I'll,
12). But her need was great, and
Identifying herself with the need of
the child she "worshipped' Jesus.
He is more than the Messiah, he is a
Saviour. Not yet, however, is Jesus
ready to grant her request. His third
answer ". 25), the answer of mercy,
is literally that first the children
must be fed, and she replied, Yea.
Lord; even the dogs under the table
eat of the children's crumbs" For
this saying, viz, that she did not pro-
test against the words he had spoken,
but accepted the proper estimate OF
him az being the Jewish Messiah and
herself as outside Of that covenant,
he made fourth answer, the answer
to faith. He answered: 20, woman,
great is thy faith,"-v. %, and grants
her carte blanc ". 28), "be 1t unto
thee even as thou wilt" AS outcasts,
we must cast ourselves "at his feet"
1t Is his table, the Masters table,
from which we may expect food. He
1t is that breaks the bread for us. We
are never beyond his reach and he
has made abundant provision.
Let US now look at the account Of
the centurion's servant Once more
Jesus is appealed to by one who is
outside the Hebrew covenant and on
behalf of servant. In the other in
cident there was the interruption of
q seeming refusal md here the inter-
ruptien of an instantaneous granting
Of the request Again we need to
read the parallel accounts given by
The other evangelistg. Verse ten of
this section II the key to this whole
story. What are some OF the marks
If a great faith?" First, 1t is
,ested. The servant was dear unto
he centurion Luke IL. Second, It
8 progressive when he heard OF
Jesus" Luke 7:3. Third, 1t will be
by others, Luke IA.
by others, Luke ia. Here
We are told that the centurion came
lot, at least not at first, unto Jesus,
,ut Is interceded for by the Jews. The
ground OF their intercession was that |
which constitutes fourth evidence OF |
i great faith, viz, liberality, HE is
worthy, for he loveth our nation and
lath built US synagogue" Luke 7:
t, s. We have. however, a better
round Of intercession, Heb. 1919. |
treat faith Is also humble, Lord, / |
I'M not worthy" Matthew 8:8. Sixth,
Is confident, Speak the word only"
datthew 8:S. and lastly. it recognized
authority, Matthew N8:9. Notice the
word ALSO" In this verse as used in
ne revised version. The secret OF |
fesus' life was his implicit obedience
o the Father, John ABA and Matthew
6:42. The centurion being under
authority could command others, and
esus being under the authority OF
Tod of course had power. We believe
he centurion saw In Jesus the Son OF
he most High, therefore what was
Healing in him, all that was needed
vas but the word of command.
The Great Faith.