A Mother’s Intercession

Today we celebrate our mothers, Grandmother’s, Aunts, Big Sisters, and the many mother figures we’ve had over the years. The ones that took us to church gave us a quarter to put in the collection plate. The one who prayed for us, got us together, and even laid hands on us and yet encouraged us to do better. And if Momma didn’t, Granny would. Thank God for praying Mothers, Grandmothers, mother figures and if you didn’t have one some woman at one time or another called your name in prayer. To this day, my mother would gently remind me of all the tree branches that are in the yard. Or give me a knuckle sandwich. As kind as she is. I can still get that spare the rod spoil the child work. It is my desire to encourage you to pray and intercede for others. Happy Mother’s Day.

A Mother’s Desperation

Text: Matthew 15: 22 (NLT) “22 A Gentile[a] (Canaanite) woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” This is a familiar passage of scripture This is a mother who is coming to the Lord on the behalf of her child. According to the story, the child is one who is demon possessed. The mother is desperate. We have a woman who’s coming to the Lord to intercede for someone else. To pray for someone who doesn’t have the mind to pray for themselves. We have to pause and thank God for those who stood up, to kneel down, and pray for us. Thank God for the ones who intercede for us. We did not get here alone, we needed some help, and sometimes that help comes by way of prayer. Yes our fathers, grandfathers, our uncles, and many others can pray. But there is something about a mother’s prayers. Way in the midnight hour, Momma is praying for her family, her child, and even her grandchild. Do you believe prayer still works? I do. In times like these Mother’s may be celebrated but they find themselves in a desperate situation. 

A Mother’s Location

In the text, we are between two cities, Tyre and Sidon. For the bible scholars, they were coastal cities 100 miles northwest of Israel. Along the seacoast of the Mediterranean. This is a place that was under Greco-Roman rule. Jesus and his disciples came in from out of town. They were beyond the gates of Jerusalem. The people were already out and about fishing, making money, and trying to make it the best way they know how. Jesus, his disciples, the entourage is making their way through the town. However, the people of Tyre and Sidon aren’t like the people of Jerusalem. They are in Tyre and Sidon which is seen as gentile territory. They are in the hood, the outskirts, the southside. Remember, Jesus is not at the temple. He’s not in the Holy City. He came to gentile territory. Do you know that Christ can meet you exactly where you are? He will meet you in your personal gentile territory. It may not have to be on a traditional Sunday morning in a sanctuary, it may be on a random Tuesday, at home, on your job, at school, or wherever. He will meet you where you are.

Then comes the mother of our story. An unnamed but not unnecessary woman emerges from the crowd. If you look at the text, you will see who’s there and who’s not. She came to him alone. The bible didn’t mention anyone coming along or accompanying her. Because if she was married, the bible would have mentioned it. Just like the story of the man who was born blind

“They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind.” John 9:18–21

This verse tells us that both mother and father were present. Because according to the laws of the land, women did not come and converse with men. The men came and discussed the matters with other men. So, give us the impression that this sister was single. Marriage has its ups and downs. However, this is different when you are dealing with life and all its struggles alone. There is someone reading this just like the Syro-Phoenician woman came to him alone in between cities of Tyre and Sidom

A Mother with a Confession

There’s one thing to have faith and it’s another thing to do something with it. There are a few things that I’ve noticed about the text and that is. This woman with great faith had a confession. This woman is saying: “I have a real problem. I came out with a deep, dark confession. My daughter is demon possessed.” That’s a real confession, to expose your family issues in front of everybody. This shows bravery and courage. She cried out “Lord have mercy on me!” A single parent, I work two jobs just to make it. I need help. She’s saying my child is going through Lord have mercy on me. I raised him better than that. She came from a decent home. They are having issues at school, and is doing the wrong things. She cried out Lord have mercy on me! Have you ever been to that point?

While the woman came out with her confession. Here come the disciples. Here comes the saints, the ivory tower theologians, and those who have done nothing wrong. Saying “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” In other words, this woman is bothering us embarrassing us making us uncomfortable. 

Is there someone that will be real on this Mother’s Day and testify I have a confession! I don’t care what they say. Don’t care about what they think! My family is going through problems, and I need help from the Lord. She was a Mother with a Confession.

A Mother’s Conversation

As we progress through the verse, we notice the mother is having a conversation. However, Jesus is not saying anything. The bible says Jesus is to “Seek and save that which is lost.” (Luke 19:10) Or he “only came for the lost sheep of Israel” Matthew 10:6. The whole time in the text, Jesus said nothing. How do you handle the silence of God? Be encouraged, a deferral is not a denial. “she came and worshiped him…” Matthew 15: 25. The mother continues with the conversation and she continued to worship.

However, when Jesus finally said something, he compared her to a “dog.” Let’s go further, how do you handle discouragement? Can you be faithful, steadfast, and resolute in the middle of discouragement. Discouragement is a bad place to be. Because discouragement can lead to depression. The woman with great faith interceded pushed the conversation further went beyond the veil (if you will). Be the one to pursue him, to persist in prayer. To keep coming back and seeking his face. I’ve learned, when God is silent, that is when he’s listening. 

A Mother’s Divine Confirmation

The praying mother persisted the conversation further by saying, “yes Lord even the dog get the crumbs off the masters table.” (Matthew 15:27). And here’s the Lord’s response, Matthew 15:28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” Mother because of your great faith. Because you believed and prayed for somebody else your daughter is healed instantly! This is just for you because you believe, trust, and rely on God. Things will turn around!!! 

Thanks for coming, and Happy Mother’s Day

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