DOES FAITH TWIST GOD'S ARM?
Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matt. 15:28, R.S.V.
There is hardly a parent whose child was seriously ill, who didn't feel, with this ancient Canaanite woman, an intense desire for divine healing. She has, in fact, been lauded as a model of faith in that she persisted in asking for Jesus to heal her daughter even after He apparently put her off. But what mother, with the very life of her child hanging by a slender thread, would have given up quickly?
Unfortunately, this encounter between Jesus and a tenacious mother has sometimes been interpreted as the way in which one's faith is used to extract favors from God. Some assume from this story that the woman's faith somehow coaxed Jesus to do it for her. This seems to confirm the misconception held by too many that if one asks for a specific miracle and it is not granted, this is because one did not have sufficient faith to "twist God's arm" and obtain the blessing. This has led to a great deal of needless self-depreciation and distress in the presence of God.
Actually, the actions of Jesus in this situation reveal some precious qualities about our God. Rather than being imposed upon by the Canaanite woman, He had actually traveled a great distance out of His way just to be available to meet her need. His apparent indifference to her need drew His prejudiced and indifferent disciples into understanding the hurt such attitudes can inflict. By healing her daughter, Jesus rebuked the insular narrowness of the Jews.
Jesus' love for this unnamed woman's daughter was matched by His eagerness to let this woman reveal a priceless quality of faith. She had heard about Jesus' ministry and teachings, and she responded by placing her full confidence in Him. This confidence led her to Him with her request, but her confidence was not based on His response to that request. She adored Jesus because of who He was, not because of what He would or would not do for her. As with Job, her trust in God was based on something larger than her personal circumstances. For Faith is not the Christian's "inside track" to obtain special favors from God. It is trusting God for God's sake alone!
Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matt. 15:28, R.S.V.
There is hardly a parent whose child was seriously ill, who didn't feel, with this ancient Canaanite woman, an intense desire for divine healing. She has, in fact, been lauded as a model of faith in that she persisted in asking for Jesus to heal her daughter even after He apparently put her off. But what mother, with the very life of her child hanging by a slender thread, would have given up quickly?
Unfortunately, this encounter between Jesus and a tenacious mother has sometimes been interpreted as the way in which one's faith is used to extract favors from God. Some assume from this story that the woman's faith somehow coaxed Jesus to do it for her. This seems to confirm the misconception held by too many that if one asks for a specific miracle and it is not granted, this is because one did not have sufficient faith to "twist God's arm" and obtain the blessing. This has led to a great deal of needless self-depreciation and distress in the presence of God.
Actually, the actions of Jesus in this situation reveal some precious qualities about our God. Rather than being imposed upon by the Canaanite woman, He had actually traveled a great distance out of His way just to be available to meet her need. His apparent indifference to her need drew His prejudiced and indifferent disciples into understanding the hurt such attitudes can inflict. By healing her daughter, Jesus rebuked the insular narrowness of the Jews.
Jesus' love for this unnamed woman's daughter was matched by His eagerness to let this woman reveal a priceless quality of faith. She had heard about Jesus' ministry and teachings, and she responded by placing her full confidence in Him. This confidence led her to Him with her request, but her confidence was not based on His response to that request. She adored Jesus because of who He was, not because of what He would or would not do for her. As with Job, her trust in God was based on something larger than her personal circumstances. For Faith is not the Christian's "inside track" to obtain special favors from God. It is trusting God for God's sake alone!
RSS Feed
