Silent Christ

~ Is Silence The Same As Denial? ~

The Scripture  ~  “But He [Jesus Christ] answered her not a word.  And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us’  …  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’” (Matthew 15:23, 25).

The Setting  ~  Usually we find Christ quick to hear every sincere request from anyone in need.  What is going on here?  But in this passage He did not respond but remained silent as if He hadn’t heard her.  In a rather bold move she persisted and asked a second time!  In this case, He heard but did not respond.  Where was His compassion?

The Scenarios  ~  Why did our Lord not respond?  Did He not care?  Was He unable to help her?  Was He simply exhausted and too weary to respond?  Was He consumed with His own approaching sorrows of the Cross?  Was He testing her faith?  Did He desire that she develop greater resolve and strength?  Was He setting the scene for even greater blessing than she could have imagined?

The Summary  ~  God works out everything in the life of a believer for their ultimate good and well-being (Romans 8:28).  The verses above, as the case is for all Scripture, needs to be considered in context.

“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’  But He answered her not a word.  And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’  But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’  But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.’  And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be to you as you desire.’  And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matthew 15:21-28).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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