1 00:00:00,470 --> 00:00:03,190 Speaker 1: Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will 2 00:00:03,230 --> 00:00:09,590 Speaker 1: be saved. Romans 10.13 Gracious Lord, we thank you for 3 00:00:09,630 --> 00:00:12,850 Speaker 1: the promise that everyone who calls on your name will 4 00:00:12,869 --> 00:00:18,590 Speaker 1: be saved. Your love knows no boundaries. Your grace extends 5 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: to all who seek you. We are in awe of 6 00:00:21,579 --> 00:00:26,139 Speaker 1: your mercy, and we call upon you now, trusting in 7 00:00:26,180 --> 00:00:31,890 Speaker 1: your saving power. In moments of doubt, and fear, remind 8 00:00:31,990 --> 00:00:35,130 Speaker 1: us of the hope that we have in you. Save 9 00:00:35,210 --> 00:00:41,010 Speaker 1: us from our troubles, our sins, and our despair. Fill 10 00:00:41,090 --> 00:00:45,500 Speaker 1: us with the assurance that you are near, ready to 11 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:50,020 Speaker 1: rescue and redeem. Help us to live in the confidence 12 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:55,620 Speaker 1: of your salvation, sharing this hope with others, so they 13 00:00:55,700 --> 00:01:00,980 Speaker 1: too may call upon you and be saved. In Jesus' 14 00:01:01,050 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 1: name we pray. 15 00:01:03,380 --> 00:01:03,700 Speaker 2: Amen. 16 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 17 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:13,820 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for a dark story about 18 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 1: Jesus and demons. If you've gleaned anything from this podcast, 19 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,610 Speaker 1: we'd love it if you left a review and shared 20 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:27,569 Speaker 1: it with a friend. Elia ran through the orchard as 21 00:01:27,610 --> 00:01:32,110 Speaker 1: her mother Josephine gathered grapes from the ground. She rifled 22 00:01:32,170 --> 00:01:35,050 Speaker 1: through the rotting fruits to find the few that were 23 00:01:35,110 --> 00:01:38,770 Speaker 1: still good enough to sustain the pair. She had fought 24 00:01:38,790 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 1: against the struggles of poverty for many years, and now 25 00:01:42,860 --> 00:01:47,420 Speaker 1: found peace in the quietness of gleaning the fields as 26 00:01:47,460 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: her daughter played in the crunching leaves underfoot. It wasn't 27 00:01:52,060 --> 00:01:55,970 Speaker 1: elegant work, but The mother had placed her pride aside 28 00:01:56,290 --> 00:02:01,390 Speaker 1: long ago. Her ego had been replaced by her profound 29 00:02:01,550 --> 00:02:05,860 Speaker 1: affection for her daughter. Josephine shifted her basket from one 30 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:09,420 Speaker 1: hip to the other as she spied her daughter sneak 31 00:02:09,540 --> 00:02:13,900 Speaker 1: off down another row. She could hear her childish giggles 32 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:18,260 Speaker 1: carrying up through the thick branches of the trees and 33 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:22,090 Speaker 1: smiled as she began to hum to herself. The lie 34 00:02:22,150 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: as innocent mischief was like a song to the tired 35 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:29,829 Speaker 1: mother's heart, giving her the energy she needed to press 36 00:02:29,970 --> 00:02:30,830 Speaker 1: on through the day. 37 00:02:31,270 --> 00:02:32,430 Speaker 2: Don't go far, my love. 38 00:02:33,290 --> 00:02:37,109 Speaker 1: Josephine called out with a soft chuckle, knowing that Elia 39 00:02:37,169 --> 00:02:39,890 Speaker 1: needed the comfort of the nearness of her mother as 40 00:02:39,970 --> 00:02:42,540 Speaker 1: much as she needed the comfort of the nearness of 41 00:02:42,580 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: her daughter. Josephine worked through the heat until her basket 42 00:02:47,260 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: was nearly full. She stretched her stiff back and closed 43 00:02:51,870 --> 00:02:56,830 Speaker 1: her eyes. The warm breeze enveloped her face as beads 44 00:02:56,870 --> 00:03:01,050 Speaker 1: of sweat cooled on her brow. She opened her eyes 45 00:03:01,490 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 1: as she wiped her face with the corner of her dress. 46 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,980 Speaker 1: She called out for Aliyah in preparation to return home, 47 00:03:09,139 --> 00:03:10,300 Speaker 1: but she heard no reply. 48 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:11,620 Speaker 3: Aliyah! 49 00:03:12,300 --> 00:03:15,380 Speaker 2: Hurry back, my precious girl! It's almost time for supper! 50 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,350 Speaker 1: The lack of response didn't worry her. She was used 51 00:03:19,370 --> 00:03:23,150 Speaker 1: to her daughter's playfulness, but her heart began to panic 52 00:03:23,669 --> 00:03:27,430 Speaker 1: when she didn't hear the telltale sign of Elia's laughter. 53 00:03:28,090 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 2: Elia, please, it's time to go. Don't worry your mother 54 00:03:32,750 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: like this. 55 00:03:34,139 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: Josephine heard the rustling of leaves a few yards off. 56 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:43,460 Speaker 1: A young child's scream shot up through the orchard. Josephine 57 00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:46,410 Speaker 1: dropped her basket to the ground as apples rolled in 58 00:03:46,570 --> 00:03:50,150 Speaker 1: every direction. She bolted toward the direction of the cry. 59 00:03:51,190 --> 00:03:53,510 Speaker 1: feeling as though her legs were moving faster than her 60 00:03:53,650 --> 00:03:57,150 Speaker 1: feet could keep up with. She broke into a small 61 00:03:57,230 --> 00:04:02,730 Speaker 1: clearing and saw Aliyah lying on the ground. Her hair 62 00:04:02,790 --> 00:04:05,470 Speaker 1: was strewn about her face as she lay in a 63 00:04:05,550 --> 00:04:09,650 Speaker 1: pile of brown leaves. The dirt had been kicked up 64 00:04:10,050 --> 00:04:12,890 Speaker 1: like Aliyah had been caught in a fight before her fall. 65 00:04:13,770 --> 00:04:17,690 Speaker 1: Josephine ran to her daughter and stroked her cheek. She 66 00:04:17,790 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: pressed her head against Aliyah's chest. She could hear the 67 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 1: faint beating of a heart. She gasped a sigh of relief. 68 00:04:26,140 --> 00:04:29,460 Speaker 1: But fear was far from gone for the concerned mother. 69 00:04:30,570 --> 00:04:33,330 Speaker 1: She called to Alaya as she laid in her arms. 70 00:04:34,330 --> 00:04:40,010 Speaker 1: The girl didn't move. Josephine gently shook her daughter, as 71 00:04:40,050 --> 00:04:43,469 Speaker 1: though trying to stir her from a deep sleep. She 72 00:04:43,510 --> 00:04:47,910 Speaker 1: began to shake her harder. Alaya's limp body shook like 73 00:04:47,950 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 1: a ragdoll. A hope began to drain from her face. 74 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:56,790 Speaker 1: Josephine shrieked with all of her might, hoping someone would 75 00:04:56,870 --> 00:05:01,790 Speaker 1: come and rescue her daughter. As Josephine began to sob, 76 00:05:02,850 --> 00:05:07,790 Speaker 1: a raspy breath of air glided over Elia's lips like 77 00:05:07,850 --> 00:05:09,090 Speaker 1: she was trying to speak. 78 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:12,010 Speaker 2: My baby, please wake up. 79 00:05:12,810 --> 00:05:13,290 Speaker 3: Please. 80 00:05:14,190 --> 00:05:18,610 Speaker 1: Elia's dress was soaked with her mother's tears. As Josephine 81 00:05:18,750 --> 00:05:24,020 Speaker 1: continued to caress her hair, Elia's eyes sprang open. She 82 00:05:24,060 --> 00:05:28,500 Speaker 1: began to breathe heavily, panting like a dog. Her eyes 83 00:05:28,940 --> 00:05:34,160 Speaker 1: remained open, but appeared lifeless as the little girl stared 84 00:05:34,380 --> 00:05:38,370 Speaker 1: off into space. Her neck snapped as she shot a 85 00:05:38,460 --> 00:05:43,330 Speaker 1: penetrating glare at Josephine. The girl strained for air and 86 00:05:43,390 --> 00:05:46,890 Speaker 1: tried to talk again. She could hardly muster up a groan. 87 00:05:47,830 --> 00:05:52,490 Speaker 1: Then her body began to convulse as her limbs contorted 88 00:05:52,850 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: in unnatural directions. Josephine wrapped Aliyah in her arms, binding 89 00:05:58,630 --> 00:06:03,539 Speaker 1: her movement like a straitjacket. She continued to sob as 90 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: she lifted her daughter from the earth and began running 91 00:06:06,420 --> 00:06:10,979 Speaker 1: to the town. Josephine banged on every door in desperation. 92 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,690 Speaker 1: She begged anyone who was willing to listen to help her. 93 00:06:15,089 --> 00:06:15,830 Speaker 2: You must help. 94 00:06:16,350 --> 00:06:17,270 Speaker 1: Please, I beg of you. 95 00:06:17,670 --> 00:06:19,430 Speaker 2: My daughter, she's unwell. 96 00:06:20,110 --> 00:06:23,190 Speaker 1: But every household was as helpless to cure the little 97 00:06:23,230 --> 00:06:28,210 Speaker 1: girl as the next. Physically, Aliyah was completely fine. And 98 00:06:28,270 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 1: as a result, there was little anyone could do. Her 99 00:06:31,540 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 1: illness ran deeper. Her soul was plagued with an evil 100 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: that refused to let her go. Dejected, Josephine slowly made 101 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 1: her way back home, leaving her hope behind her. She 102 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:50,500 Speaker 1: carried nothing more than her daughter's frail body. Each step 103 00:06:50,580 --> 00:06:55,460 Speaker 1: led her away from the life she once loved. Josephine 104 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:59,669 Speaker 1: spent many long nights tending to her daughter. She would 105 00:06:59,730 --> 00:07:04,570 Speaker 1: press damp cloths upon her forehead through violent fevers and 106 00:07:04,630 --> 00:07:08,170 Speaker 1: hold her down with a firm tenderness when the convulsions 107 00:07:08,430 --> 00:07:13,430 Speaker 1: started back up. Josephine could feel herself growing helpless with 108 00:07:13,530 --> 00:07:18,230 Speaker 1: every passing hour. As Aliyah slipped into a rare bout 109 00:07:18,270 --> 00:07:22,020 Speaker 1: of sleep, Josephine reclined in the bed next to her. 110 00:07:23,020 --> 00:07:26,660 Speaker 1: She sighed and stared out the window at the night sky, 111 00:07:27,300 --> 00:07:31,820 Speaker 1: speckled with shimmering stars. The dazzling array reminded her of 112 00:07:31,900 --> 00:07:35,500 Speaker 1: stories she had heard as a young girl, stories of 113 00:07:35,540 --> 00:07:39,350 Speaker 1: the God of the Jews who had promised provision to 114 00:07:39,380 --> 00:07:43,900 Speaker 1: his people. Though she was a Gentile, She wondered if 115 00:07:43,940 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 1: the God who was said to be full of love 116 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: might have some to spare for her and her little girl. 117 00:07:58,550 --> 00:08:03,050 Speaker 3: Jesus' words aren't always easy to hear or understand. But 118 00:08:03,110 --> 00:08:06,250 Speaker 3: if we're faithful to press in and peel back the layers, 119 00:08:06,750 --> 00:08:10,370 Speaker 3: we will always find something rich and beautiful. Welcome to 120 00:08:10,390 --> 00:08:13,290 Speaker 3: the Jesus Podcast. We're spending the first couple weeks in 121 00:08:13,350 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 3: October exploring Jesus' authority over demons. We want Christ's light 122 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:22,540 Speaker 3: illuminated during a season when darkness is celebrated. Take a 123 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:25,340 Speaker 3: moment today to share this podcast with a friend. We 124 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,420 Speaker 3: want everyone to be exposed to the power and presence 125 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,630 Speaker 3: of Jesus. Today, we're diving into a story that might 126 00:08:31,690 --> 00:08:34,790 Speaker 3: make you raise an eyebrow or two. It's a story 127 00:08:34,850 --> 00:08:37,069 Speaker 3: inspired by Matthew chapter 15, verses 21 through 28. It 128 00:08:37,110 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 3: includes a desperate mother, a seemingly unresponsive Jesus, and, yes, 129 00:08:44,260 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 3: a conversation about demons. 130 00:08:48,940 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 1: Jesus rested in a home in the region of Tyre 131 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:56,630 Speaker 1: and Sidon, enjoying a brief moment of anonymity. He was 132 00:08:56,670 --> 00:08:59,750 Speaker 1: in the land of the Gentiles, a place where a 133 00:08:59,790 --> 00:09:04,870 Speaker 1: Jewish rabbi would never be found. However, Jesus did not 134 00:09:04,970 --> 00:09:08,790 Speaker 1: follow such prejudiced traditions. He knew that the love of 135 00:09:08,850 --> 00:09:14,250 Speaker 1: God would eventually reach the nations of the Gentiles. However, 136 00:09:14,309 --> 00:09:20,540 Speaker 1: for now, his mission was focused on the Hebrews. He 137 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,620 Speaker 1: had entered the house of a faithful follower, but did 138 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 1: not want anyone to know he was staying there. He 139 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:31,750 Speaker 1: was content to be alone with his disciples and pour 140 00:09:31,830 --> 00:09:36,390 Speaker 1: into them the wisdom of God. He needed them ready 141 00:09:36,809 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: and prepared for the coming days. However, Jesus' fame had 142 00:09:42,380 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: stretched beyond the borders of Judea. Before Jesus could even 143 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:54,069 Speaker 1: raise his feet to rest, the door knocked relentlessly. Jesus 144 00:09:54,130 --> 00:09:58,170 Speaker 1: walked to the door and opened it softly. A genteel 145 00:09:58,230 --> 00:10:03,670 Speaker 1: woman stood at the entrance. holding her daughter in her arms. 146 00:10:05,530 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: The little girl was stirring and grunting. Her eyes were 147 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: rolled back and she screamed at the sight of Jesus. 148 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:19,580 Speaker 1: It was clear she was possessed by a demon. The 149 00:10:19,620 --> 00:10:24,020 Speaker 1: woman fell to her knees, holding her daughter up to Jesus. 150 00:10:25,290 --> 00:10:29,270 Speaker 1: Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with Jesus. 151 00:10:30,030 --> 00:10:30,329 Speaker 4: You! 152 00:10:31,330 --> 00:10:33,109 Speaker 2: Are you the teacher from Nazareth? 153 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:36,740 Speaker 1: Jesus bent down and placed a gentle hand on the 154 00:10:36,780 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: girl's clammy forehead. Aliyah jerked at his touch and gnashed 155 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:46,179 Speaker 1: her teeth violently. She let out a shriek But Jesus 156 00:10:46,260 --> 00:10:50,900 Speaker 1: stood his ground. He stood upright and looked intently at 157 00:10:50,970 --> 00:10:56,130 Speaker 1: Josephine without saying a word. The desperate mother continued with 158 00:10:56,150 --> 00:10:56,530 Speaker 1: her plea. 159 00:10:57,650 --> 00:11:03,110 Speaker 2: Please, you are said to have power from heaven. Please, 160 00:11:04,350 --> 00:11:08,469 Speaker 2: cast this demon out of my child. I can't watch 161 00:11:08,510 --> 00:11:09,870 Speaker 2: her suffer any longer. 162 00:11:11,130 --> 00:11:12,510 Speaker 4: My heart is breaking. 163 00:11:13,350 --> 00:11:20,010 Speaker 1: Josephine broke into sobs once again unable to utter another word. Jesus' 164 00:11:20,070 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: heart was moved with compassion, but his body remained unmoved 165 00:11:26,420 --> 00:11:30,059 Speaker 1: in the open doorway, looking down at the woman with 166 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:31,060 Speaker 1: a placid gaze. 167 00:11:31,540 --> 00:11:33,300 Speaker 4: Do you not know that I need to feed the 168 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 4: children before allowing the puppies a chance to eat? Why 169 00:11:36,590 --> 00:11:38,310 Speaker 4: would I give the children's food to them? 170 00:11:38,910 --> 00:11:42,510 Speaker 1: Jesus spoke of his mission to the Jews over the Gentiles. 171 00:11:43,350 --> 00:11:48,030 Speaker 1: The Jews notoriously referred to Gentiles as as dogs, but 172 00:11:48,070 --> 00:11:52,870 Speaker 1: Jesus chose a more enduring term, puppies. However, the air 173 00:11:52,910 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: of separation remained. Jesus' questions came off as offensive to 174 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:02,180 Speaker 1: the woman, but his tone relayed a message that carried 175 00:12:02,300 --> 00:12:06,020 Speaker 1: no judgment, just a point of truth meant to help 176 00:12:06,059 --> 00:12:10,500 Speaker 1: the woman see the complexity of her request. He, of course, 177 00:12:10,540 --> 00:12:16,199 Speaker 1: was referring to his mission toward the Jews before the Gentiles. Still, 178 00:12:16,929 --> 00:12:21,150 Speaker 1: The woman winced at Jesus' reply. She knew that she 179 00:12:21,220 --> 00:12:25,680 Speaker 1: was a Gentile. There was no escaping her birth. However, 180 00:12:25,780 --> 00:12:29,820 Speaker 1: deep down, she knew her birth did not disqualify her 181 00:12:30,420 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: from the grace Jesus offered. She looked up at him 182 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:40,420 Speaker 1: and risked pressing the issue. She wasn't pleading for personal gain. 183 00:12:41,300 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: Her faith had led her to Jesus in the hopes 184 00:12:45,100 --> 00:12:47,250 Speaker 1: of seeing her daughter made well. 185 00:12:47,790 --> 00:12:50,690 Speaker 2: That may be so, my lord, but even the pups 186 00:12:50,750 --> 00:12:53,190 Speaker 2: are allowed under the table to eat the crumbs that fall. 187 00:12:53,950 --> 00:13:00,550 Speaker 1: Jesus nodded, amazed at the woman's persistence and tact. He 188 00:13:00,590 --> 00:13:03,460 Speaker 1: knelt down and laid his hand on the girl's head again. 189 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: Her gaze would not meet his. She thrashed her head 190 00:13:09,380 --> 00:13:13,340 Speaker 1: and grunted in her mother's arms. Jesus had come to 191 00:13:13,380 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: fulfill the salvation to the Jews first, But in his 192 00:13:17,460 --> 00:13:22,100 Speaker 1: unrelenting love, he would of course not allow this woman 193 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: to leave without healing her daughter. He looked at the woman, 194 00:13:27,179 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: then back at the girl. For the first time since 195 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 1: her arrival, the mother saw Jesus' warm smile. 196 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:38,780 Speaker 4: For your statement, you may leave in peace. The demon 197 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 4: has left your daughter. 198 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,860 Speaker 1: Josephine looked down just in time to see Elias' sparkling 199 00:13:44,059 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 1: eyes open. No longer did she see the lifeless gaze 200 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: that haunted her dreams. She was staring into her baby's 201 00:13:53,660 --> 00:13:59,170 Speaker 1: dazzling green eyes, which were sweetly staring back at her. 202 00:14:00,010 --> 00:14:03,329 Speaker 1: Aliyah choked on a cough and tried to lift her head, 203 00:14:04,130 --> 00:14:07,410 Speaker 1: but her weariness pulled her back down into her mother's arms. 204 00:14:08,030 --> 00:14:08,709 Speaker 2: My baby! 205 00:14:08,730 --> 00:14:10,890 Speaker 4: Oh, sweet child! 206 00:14:11,570 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 2: Rest your head. You have been through so much. You 207 00:14:15,980 --> 00:14:18,740 Speaker 2: are the strongest person I have ever known. 208 00:14:19,380 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 1: Josephine's teary eyes moved from her child to the healer. 209 00:14:24,730 --> 00:14:27,410 Speaker 1: It was as though his mere presence was enough to 210 00:14:27,470 --> 00:14:32,790 Speaker 1: bring her absolute peace beyond her own understanding. All the 211 00:14:32,870 --> 00:14:36,890 Speaker 1: long days and nights of watching her child struggle with 212 00:14:36,910 --> 00:14:42,730 Speaker 1: the demon melted away, now feeling like nothing more than 213 00:14:42,790 --> 00:14:43,910 Speaker 1: a distant memory. 214 00:14:44,470 --> 00:14:47,170 Speaker 4: Thank you. Blessed be your name. 215 00:14:47,230 --> 00:14:47,630 Speaker 2: O Lord. 216 00:14:48,370 --> 00:14:54,350 Speaker 1: The words were broken, but genuine. Josephine had believed in Jesus' power, 217 00:14:55,110 --> 00:14:57,510 Speaker 1: and it was her faith that made her daughter well. 218 00:14:58,470 --> 00:15:02,220 Speaker 1: Staring into the eyes of Jesus, the grateful mother was 219 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:07,060 Speaker 1: sure that the God of Israel had indeed looked down 220 00:15:07,220 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: upon her and had poured out his boundless love. 221 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 4: You're welcome, daughter. 222 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:19,180 Speaker 1: Daughter, The word rang in Josephine's mind, working its way 223 00:15:19,740 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 1: down to her heart. It had been a long time 224 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 1: since she had felt the comfort of a father. She 225 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:30,650 Speaker 1: wrapped her hand around her own daughter's cheek. The little 226 00:15:30,690 --> 00:15:34,330 Speaker 1: girl had fallen asleep, and for the first time in weeks, 227 00:15:35,070 --> 00:15:39,540 Speaker 1: she seemed tranquil, like an innocent lamb lying down by 228 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: still waters. She pressed her lips to her forehead and 229 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: and gave her a gentle kiss. Elias' eyes slowly opened 230 00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:53,460 Speaker 1: as she greeted her mother with a delicate smile. The 231 00:15:53,500 --> 00:15:58,620 Speaker 1: disciples happily watched the scene in silence. They too knew 232 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: what it was like to be accepted by God, despite 233 00:16:02,620 --> 00:16:07,660 Speaker 1: feelings of inadequacy. Watching Jesus break down the walls of 234 00:16:07,730 --> 00:16:13,490 Speaker 1: division between nations and peoples was a true miracle. They 235 00:16:13,540 --> 00:16:16,510 Speaker 1: knew they were in the presence of someone far greater 236 00:16:17,130 --> 00:16:21,430 Speaker 1: than they could ever have imagined. And perhaps this wasn't 237 00:16:21,490 --> 00:16:25,970 Speaker 1: the anonymity Jesus had hoped for, but it was the 238 00:16:26,030 --> 00:16:30,470 Speaker 1: very work he had expected. He had come to set 239 00:16:30,570 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: the captives free, both Jew and Gentile. Andrew stood to 240 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: his feet and walked the mother and daughter to the door. 241 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:44,290 Speaker 1: as Jesus made his way back to the table and 242 00:16:44,350 --> 00:16:48,470 Speaker 1: landed softly in his chair once more. He raised his 243 00:16:48,570 --> 00:16:52,590 Speaker 1: cup to his lips, taking a small sip of wine. 244 00:16:53,990 --> 00:16:57,500 Speaker 1: As the door slowly creaked closed behind the mother and daughter, 245 00:16:58,460 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: the group could hear a faint giggle outside as two 246 00:17:03,420 --> 00:17:09,439 Speaker 1: small feet landed on the ground. Tiny footsteps raced up 247 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 1: the street. with a light-hearted daughter and a relieved mother 248 00:17:15,100 --> 00:17:15,900 Speaker 1: following after. 249 00:17:18,500 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 3: Jesus ventures into the region of Tyre and Sidon, the 250 00:17:21,940 --> 00:17:24,530 Speaker 3: place you'd probably avoid if you were a devout Jew 251 00:17:24,590 --> 00:17:27,170 Speaker 3: of the time. Think of it as the wrong side 252 00:17:27,190 --> 00:17:30,870 Speaker 3: of the tracks. He's met by a Canaanite woman, a Gentile, 253 00:17:31,070 --> 00:17:33,810 Speaker 3: who cries out, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son 254 00:17:33,850 --> 00:17:38,870 Speaker 3: of David. My daughter is severely demon-possessed. Now, let's pause here. 255 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:43,710 Speaker 3: This woman crosses cultural and religious boundaries to seek Jesus. 256 00:17:44,270 --> 00:17:46,750 Speaker 3: She's a mother on a mission, and nothing is going 257 00:17:46,790 --> 00:17:50,669 Speaker 3: to stop her. Not even centuries of animosity between Jews 258 00:17:50,890 --> 00:17:54,530 Speaker 3: and Canaanites. But how does Jesus respond? He answered her 259 00:17:54,609 --> 00:17:55,290 Speaker 3: not a word. 260 00:17:55,950 --> 00:17:56,190 Speaker 2: Ouch. 261 00:17:56,750 --> 00:18:00,250 Speaker 3: Ever sent a text and got left unread? Multiply that 262 00:18:00,310 --> 00:18:03,820 Speaker 3: feeling by a thousand. Even the disciples urge Jesus to 263 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,700 Speaker 3: send her away. They're annoyed by her persistence. When Jesus 264 00:18:07,780 --> 00:18:11,060 Speaker 3: finally speaks, He says, I was not sent except to 265 00:18:11,100 --> 00:18:14,500 Speaker 3: the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Translation, you're 266 00:18:14,540 --> 00:18:17,950 Speaker 3: not on my current agenda. It seems harsh, doesn't it? 267 00:18:18,350 --> 00:18:21,850 Speaker 3: But hold on, there's more beneath the surface. Undeterred, the 268 00:18:21,910 --> 00:18:25,409 Speaker 3: woman worships him, saying, Lord, help me. She drops the 269 00:18:25,450 --> 00:18:29,409 Speaker 3: formalities and gets straight to the point. Jesus replies, it 270 00:18:29,470 --> 00:18:32,130 Speaker 3: is not good to take the children's bread and throw 271 00:18:32,170 --> 00:18:34,750 Speaker 3: it to the little dogs. Did Jesus just call her 272 00:18:34,790 --> 00:18:38,429 Speaker 3: a dog? Before you clutch your pearls, understand that the 273 00:18:38,490 --> 00:18:43,180 Speaker 3: term little dogs, softens the blow. It's more like saying, puppies. 274 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 3: He's testing her faith, drawing something deeper out of her. 275 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:51,270 Speaker 3: She retorts, yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat 276 00:18:51,290 --> 00:18:55,210 Speaker 3: the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Touché. She's 277 00:18:55,310 --> 00:18:58,650 Speaker 3: essentially saying, even a crumb of your power can heal 278 00:18:58,670 --> 00:19:04,360 Speaker 3: my daughter. Her wit, humility, and faith are on full display. Now, 279 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 3: let's focus on the demon aspect. Her daughter is severely demon-possessed. 280 00:19:09,740 --> 00:19:12,660 Speaker 3: In those days, demon possession was a way to describe 281 00:19:12,740 --> 00:19:17,730 Speaker 3: severe physical or mental afflictions. Whether you interpret this literally 282 00:19:17,950 --> 00:19:21,350 Speaker 3: or metaphorically, the point is that her daughter is in 283 00:19:21,550 --> 00:19:27,050 Speaker 3: desperate need of deliverance. Demons, in this context, represent anything 284 00:19:27,090 --> 00:19:33,820 Speaker 3: that torments us. Addictions, fears, doubts, prejudices, or even literal demons. 285 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 3: This mother's battle is not just against a spiritual entity, 286 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:42,390 Speaker 3: but against barriers that society has placed between her and Jesus. 287 00:19:43,310 --> 00:19:46,369 Speaker 3: What makes this story remarkable is that a Gentile woman 288 00:19:46,450 --> 00:19:51,679 Speaker 3: recognizes Jesus as Lord and Son of David. Titles packed 289 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:56,840 Speaker 3: with Jewish messianic expectation. Meanwhile, the religious insiders are often 290 00:19:57,040 --> 00:20:02,050 Speaker 3: clueless or skeptical. Jesus commends her, saying, O woman, great 291 00:20:02,090 --> 00:20:05,010 Speaker 3: is your faith. Let it be to you as you desire. 292 00:20:05,790 --> 00:20:09,650 Speaker 3: Her daughter is healed that very hour. Her persistence pays 293 00:20:09,790 --> 00:20:13,270 Speaker 3: off and a generational curse is broken. How can we 294 00:20:13,330 --> 00:20:17,629 Speaker 3: apply this story to ourselves today? First, let's have persistent 295 00:20:17,710 --> 00:20:21,690 Speaker 3: faith that transcends boundaries. Are we willing to cross societal 296 00:20:21,730 --> 00:20:24,359 Speaker 3: lines for the sake of those we love? This woman 297 00:20:24,420 --> 00:20:28,619 Speaker 3: didn't let cultural norms prevent her from seeking Jesus. Second, 298 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:32,980 Speaker 3: embrace humility and wit. This woman doesn't argue or get 299 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:38,050 Speaker 3: offended at Jesus. Instead, she cleverly engages Him. Sometimes a 300 00:20:38,090 --> 00:20:43,250 Speaker 3: humble heart speaks louder than a loud mouth. Next, identifying 301 00:20:43,390 --> 00:20:47,429 Speaker 3: our demons. What are the modern-day demons tormenting us or 302 00:20:47,609 --> 00:20:52,740 Speaker 3: our loved ones? Mental health struggles? Substance abuse? Deep-seated anger? 303 00:20:53,220 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 3: Recognize these things and bring them to Jesus. And remember, 304 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:02,139 Speaker 3: God's purpose is bigger than our plans. Jesus' initial reluctance 305 00:21:02,220 --> 00:21:06,179 Speaker 3: wasn't rejection, but a setup for a greater revelation. that 306 00:21:06,260 --> 00:21:09,810 Speaker 3: His mission includes all of us. This story teaches us 307 00:21:09,869 --> 00:21:13,169 Speaker 3: that even the crumbs of Jesus' power are sufficient to 308 00:21:13,310 --> 00:21:17,430 Speaker 3: overcome our greatest challenges. The woman's daughter was healed, not 309 00:21:17,470 --> 00:21:21,730 Speaker 3: because of entitlement, but because of faith. So, whether you 310 00:21:21,750 --> 00:21:26,260 Speaker 3: feel like an outsider or someone battling inner demons, remember 311 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:30,500 Speaker 3: that Jesus' table has room for you. And sometimes, it's 312 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:35,100 Speaker 3: the persistent, humble faith that moves mountains. Or, in this case, 313 00:21:35,550 --> 00:21:40,380 Speaker 3: expels demons. Let's not be afraid to approach God with boldness, wit, 314 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:44,739 Speaker 3: and unwavering faith. Who knows, you might just find that 315 00:21:44,820 --> 00:21:47,940 Speaker 3: He's been waiting for you to take that step all along.