The power of words, our need for healing, and the importance of speaking healing words into the lives of others, as demonstrated in the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28.
Good morning, family. I hope this day finds you wrapped in God's grace. Today, we're going to examine a passage from the book of Matthew. Our focus will be on the power of words, our need for healing, and how we can strive to speak healing words into the lives of those around us.
Just as John Newton once said, "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear."
Let's explore together what this passage has to say:
"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.' Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to Him and urged Him, 'Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.' He answered, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.' The woman came and knelt before Him. 'Lord, help me!' she said. He replied, 'It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.' 'Yes it is, Lord,' she said. 'Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.' Then Jesus said to her, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed at that moment.'" - Matthew 15:21-28
Let's bow our heads in prayer:
Heavenly Father, as we delve into Your word today, open our hearts and minds to understand the power our words carry. Help us to use them wisely, to bring healing and hope, just as You do. May Your wisdom guide us and Your love sustain us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
With that, let's dive in.
Words have the ability to create and destroy, to heal and to hurt, to uplift and to tear down. They are the tools with which we shape our reality and the reality of those around us. The story of the Canaanite woman's encounter with Jesus is a powerful illustration of this truth.
Desperation: The Canaanite woman uses her words to reach out to Jesus in her desperation. Her daughter is suffering, and she knows that Jesus has the power to heal her. She cries out to Him, using words that acknowledge His divinity and His mercy: "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!" These are not just words spoken in desperation; they are words of faith. She believes that Jesus can help her, and she is not afraid to voice this belief.
Jesus' initial response is silence: He does not answer her cries for help. But the woman does not give up. She continues to use her words to plead her case. When Jesus finally responds, His words are not what she expects. He tells her that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, implying that she, as a Canaanite, is not part of His mission. But the woman does not accept this. She uses her words to challenge Jesus, to argue for her daughter's healing. And it is her words, her faith expressed through her words, that ultimately lead to her daughter's healing.
The power that words can have when spoken with faith: The Canaanite woman's words were not empty pleas; they were filled with faith and desperation. They were powerful enough to move Jesus to act, to heal her daughter. This is a testament to the power that our words can have when they are spoken with conviction and faith.
The power to affect those around us: Words can bring comfort and healing, or they can bring pain and destruction. The disciples' words in this story illustrate this point. They urge Jesus to send the woman away because she is bothering them. Their words lack compassion and understanding. They do not see the woman's desperation or her faith; they only see her as a nuisance.
The impact our words can have on others: They can either reflect God's love and compassion, or they can reflect our own selfishness and lack of understanding. The choice is ours. We can choose to use our words to uplift and heal, or we can use them to tear down and hurt. The power is in our hands, or rather, in our tongues.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when your words had a significant impact on someone. You could also talk about a time when someone else’s words affected you.
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