Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-18

A
gard to the ceremonial washings of the
Jews. and His positive statements de-
nouncing the tradition of the elders caus-
ed break with the ruling element of the
Jews so great that there was no posi-
hnity of mending it. 1t determined Him
also to withdraw from their midst for a
/ time that He might instruct His disciples
more fully in the matter of the kingdom.
He turned His face therefore towards
the coast, and came into the borders of
Tyre and Sdon and entered into a quiet
place that His presence might not be
known. This, however, was as impos-
sible as TO hide the fragrance of flow
ers in a room. 1t is Just as impossible
today. If Jesus is in your life, He cannot
be hidden; every one with whom you
touch elbows will know it; it will make
| il so fragrant.
1t is not strange either that among
the first who learned of His presence
was a woman in great need. She was
an heather woman by birth, by residence
and by religion. She was a Cyro-Phoe.
nician by birth, descended from the
Canaanites, that wicked nation whom
God displaced from their country and or
dered the Israelites to utterly destroy
because of their sin. The Israelites had
been disobedient. and this woman was
descendant of the remnant. She was a
Greek by religion, an idolater at that
time, and guilty of such idolatry as can
scarcely be realized by a civilized peo-
pie. She was a Sidonian by residence
If there was one who had no claim what
ever upon Jesus, she was such.
| THE O-PHOENICIAN'S FAITH.
But this woman had one claim on Him;
she needed Him. Her daughter was In
I'D IL
could help her. So she came to Jesus
thus. 20, Lord. thou Son of David, my
daughter is grievously vexed with dew
| II" But in spite of the fact that she
kept up this cry for a long time, He an
swered her not a word. Finally, the dis
ciples interceded in her behalf. They
took pity on her. She seemed to be in
such great distress, and they knew He
had never sent anyone away empty: so
they begged Him to send her away with
the blessing she desired.
Can you imagine why Jesus should
have allowed her to cry out as she did
until even the disciples were moved
to hear her entreaties to them too and
intercede for her, and yet not answer
her a word? Well. be sure of one thing,
that it was not because He did not want
to help her. The trouble was not with
Jesus. but with the woman. She came
IN the wrong way. Read her words
again. 20, Lord, thou Son of David"
and "the Son of David" had nothing to
do with a Canaanitish woman, living out
of the bounds of Israel, and an idolater.
''The son of David" could rot do any
thing for her.
She understood that, and changed her
request Immediately. Falling at His
feet, she worshipped Him, and said,
Lord, help me-" She was no longer
making a demand upon Him, as an Is
raelite might, but realizing her worth
lessness and His worth, she aeknowl-
edged Him as her Lord and asked for
His gracious help. Notice that that
cry was not unheeded. There was no
delay in His reply although something
else was necessary on her part before
He could do what she wanted Her
faith needed testing. See how He does
II.
ct is not right to take the chill
dren's bread and cast it to the dogs"
Every Gentle was regarded by the Jews
as a dog, a stray dog to be hated and
kicked about. But these were not Jesus
words He used the word for pet dog
and a pet dog has some rights. The
woman caught it. Yes, Lord" she re-
piled. even the pet dogs eat the
crumbs" / recognize I have no right
except those that are graciously grant
ed the house dog, but 1 am willing to
take them if you viii let me have Them
Such an attitude brought from Jesus
one of the two greatest commentators
He made. and both were to heather
20 woman, great is thy faith; be it done
unto thee even as thou wilt" And mar
vel. At her home that very moment