Thy Strong Word — Matthew 15:21-28. Unbelievable mercy to unbelievable sinners: Lord have mercy on me, a dog.

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 15:21-28.

God the Father reveals the grace of Christ in the most unlikely of people. We hear of the Canaanite woman, from the lineage of an unfaithful people (Deuteronomy 20:7), who seeks the LORD’s help in faith. Although Jesus calls her a “dog”, we must admit that we are just as unclean as anything else on earth. God’s gifts of grace are in such an abundance that He gives, in faith, His gifts to the most unlikely of people—even us. “Lord God, reveal Your grace in Christ that we may believe like the Canaanite woman. You are merciful, which is why we confess our need for Your help once again. Lord have mercy on us. Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Matthew 15:21-28

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

²¹And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” ²³But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” ²⁴He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.^[a]

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Footnotes

Matthew 15:28 Greek from that hour

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)