It is interesting to read some of the specific encounters that the Lord Jesus had with individuals while He walked on the earth, in His incarnation. For me, one of the most interesting is the encounter, recorded by both Matthew and Mark, with a Syro-Phoenician woman. Matthew writes:
"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 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.15:21-28).
Did you notice those words: "But He did not answer her a word."? There is something remarkable in this silence of the Christ. We expect Him to be quick to hear every request made of Him by a sufferer. His heart was sensitive, and instantly responded to every request for help. Yet here, He stands and listens to this mother's plea - and answers not a word! He stands, apparently unmoved by her cries, even although He had all power in His hands to deal with the situation.
Why was He thus silent? It was not because He was weak, for His arm is ever strong. It was not because He was so engrossed in His own imminent passion and crucifixion, that He could not think of another's sorrow for, even on the cross, He forgot Himself but showed kindness to others. Could it be, then, that the reason for His silence was that He was testing this mother's faith?!
If that is so - and I believe it to be - then He would have been delighted with her tenacity. She didn't "take the huff", and walk away. No! She had come seeking, and she was determined to find! So she continued to seek His help. How did He respond? With what have been interpreted as harsh words: “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." Wow! What is happening here?
One of the problems with the written word is that is does not reflect the tone of voice, or the facial features of a speaker. I suggest that those words, spoken by the Lord Jesus, were spoken with a tenderness that made a major difference to them, and with a twinkle in His eyes! And the women came back with a response that must surely have gladdened His heart: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
And so the record ends with words from the Saviour that are more like those we have come to expect: “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly." Her tenacity led to triumph as her request for help was granted.
Have you ever felt that the Lord was ignoring you? How have you reacted? How easily some of us give up if a positive answer to our prayers is not received on the following day?! Okay, that’s probably an exaggeration – but you get my point. God grant that each one of us might have the depth of faith of this Syro-phoenician woman: a faith that, although tested; proved to be tenacious; and was, thus, triumphant.
And to His Name be all the praise, and all the glory.