Come To Jesus As You Are!

It’s almost cliché to say, come to Jesus as you are; in my recent meditation, I was reading the story about the Canaanite Woman in the book of Matthew 15. As I read, this lady was crying to the Lord to heal her daughter. I thought, why did Jesus ignore her? But He eventually answered her after His disciples urged Him to sent her away (Matt. 15:22 NIV). His answer led me to ponder what had just happened? Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel (Matt. 15:24 NIV).”

I thought, wait a minute did Jesus say, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel?” Yes, He did! I closed my Bible and asked God for wisdom. I reread the verse (Matt. 15:22 NIV). A few things stood out the first was the Canaanite Woman, and the second was the phrase “Son of David.”

The Canaanites People

The Woman was not a Jew, so she didn’t worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. The phrase “Son of David” was used by the Jews laying hold to the claim of their inheritance. This Woman was pretending and knew who Jesus was and what He could do. But the problem with acting is you can never own your request. Even if you get it because fear will be at the door to remind you, wait till the truth is known!

Pretense had to be the only reason Jesus ignored her pleasing because when you keep reading, He goes on to heal many. Scriptures don’t say many Jews; it says many. I paused again to digest the love of my Lord Jesus Christ. 

When Jesus did answer, His response told why He wouldn’t first answer. He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Then this lady gave up pretending she knelt before Him and said, “Lord, help me!” I remember the first time I read this story after I received Jesus Christ as Lord. I didn’t understand what was happening in this story. Because Jesus responded with words that confused me, he said, “It’s not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dog’s. Was He calling this lady a dog? But it didn’t matter. Her reply was, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. (Matt. 15:24-27 NLT).

Woman of Great Faith!

This Canaanite woman was no ordinary woman. She knew Jesus was the Messiah and knelt to worship Him even though it appears He is calling her a dog and dismissing her by words and action. Remember when she first appeared calling out to Him in a title only reserved for the Hebrews. He did not answer her. But she knew He could heal her daughter. So, she kept calling out to Him. But what makes this Woman remarkable is what Jesus said about her. He said, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.            

See Jesus came that we may have life to full (John 10:10 NLT). Pretending has no fullness in it. Only truth gives light. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the light, and He is the ONLY way to God (John 14:6).  

Come to Jesus, just as you are, and He will hear your heart!