“…Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” ~Matthew 15:28
Independence Day is a fine holiday to celebrate. Freedom is no small feat. It takes determination, faith, and belief-it takes breaking out of the traditional belief and practice. Freedom cannot be accomplished without wisdom and knowledge of the opponent’s plan of execution whether the battles are of the mind or body.
One extraordinary battle a woman had to fight was the answer to her request of healing for her daughter. She heard that Jesus, the Son of David, was in town. He was the one with the power to heal her daughter of the demon-possessed disease. So, she made the trip to see Jesus and presented her request.
Surprisingly, when she presented her request, Jesus ignored her. He just went on as though He didn’t hear her. Then, she asked again and again until He finally answered her by saying that “it’s not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” Hearing this, she acknowledged the fact that though she was not a Jew, Jesus was capable to give her blessings that many Jews did not claim.
One thing Jesus clearly showed me was that for centuries the Jews have been told they were the chosen race and they bluntly blurted it out to others. They believed it and preached it to the nations around them. They put themselves in pedestal: they were the chosen race after all. They were chosen and for them that meant that they were favored by God, not just any god, but the Sovereign Lord. They made sure that everyone around them knew about it-they were bragging. So, this Gentile woman came and wanted Him to heal her daughter of demon-possessed. And, Jesus, wanting her to know the truth, turned around and called her a dog. I would’ve been so offended-if I have just looked at the surface, but listen to this wise woman. She wasn’t taking anything that was reserved for the Jews. She simply acknowledged the fact that she understood the Lord has chosen the Jews as His chosen race and yet He was big enough to spare her the blessings which the Jews didn’t claim.
One thing Jesus wanted to hear from this Gentile woman was her verbal confession of the truth-although, the Jews were His chosen race for displaying His magnificent power, they were not the only one to receive His love and protection. For generations, this woman was repeatedly beat down by the Jews community that they were the chosen ones, not her. She was not worth it to receive His blessings, but she knew better. She presented Jesus with the truth that not every Jew claimed that promise, therefore, she could certainly take what they didn’t claim and Jesus granted her request at that. Jesus wanted to know whether she would choose to believe what the Jews told her or believe in Him who is the author of Life and freedom-from demon-possessed.
Today, millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day because our founding fathers believed that freedom was given to everyone, not just the British government. They were willing to pay taxes with representations, but they had none and with all their heart, our founding fathers believed they needed to break away from the tradition. They needed their freedom. They fought to gain their freedom.
What about you? Have you been imprisoned by the traditions of your mental education? Do you believe the things you were taught or told that you are not good enough, not smart enough, or in my case, not rich enough? Have you been told that you were destined to fail? Today, Jesus wants you to believe otherwise. He wants you to believe that He can set you free from the traditions of thoughts and beliefs. He wants you to know He is the way, the truth and the life. Take that chance, make the request, and be freed from your prison. Freedom in Jesus is truly free. Will you accept?
Jesus, Lord, thank You for this piece of truth. As we celebrate Independence Day, help us to remember that true freedom is found in Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
