WEEKLY SERMON REFLECTIONS

Each week, take 5 days to dive deeper into the heart of our Sunday sermons! Through key insights and scripture, this format will allow for further personal reflection and spiritual growth. Keeping this at the dinner table, discuss it with family and/or friends.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK:

“Dear Lord, help me to see others the way you see them. Help me to understand and sometimes look past the nuances of culture or as individuals, in order to have a heart to love like you have called us to do. Help me to believe the best, be ready to expect the unexpected and to be used by you in relationship with others for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DAY
01

And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon possessed. But he did not answer her a word…

-MATTHEW 15:22-23

REFLECTION:

At first glance this may seem like Jesus was ignoring her or being rude, but while recognizing the nuance of being Jewish, He used this as an advantage for the moment…He was leaving space for understanding to be discovered. Both for the woman and for the disciples.

RESPONSE:

When have you let social norms get in the way of allowing people a safe space to be vulnerable and reveal themselves? How can we overcome this tendency?

DAY
02

...And His disciples came and implored Him saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.

-MATTHEW 15:23

REFLECTION:

The disciples have labeled her a nuisance. Jesus does not let the disciples determine how He responds to her. He is setting a better example for them and us by how He interacts with someone different than them.

RESPONSE:

What biases might you have towards certain people that prohibit you from walking in the love that Jesus wants you to extend to others? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be more patient with individuals that you have deemed are not worth your time.

DAY
03

But He answered her and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

-MATTHEW 15:24

REFLECTION:

Jesus is acknowledging the time and narrative that they are both aware of, but He also knows she has more to say and this will enable her to respond with her next faith affirming declaration that allows her to receive from the Lord.

RESPONSE:

How can we give more opportunities for others to feel safe with us and space to reveal themselves? Maybe at Thanksgiving dinner with all the family and their mixed bag of personalities and ideas? What if we are instead inquisitive instead of putting up walls with others and allow God to guide our conversations?

DAY
04

But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying 'Lord, help me!' And He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.' But she said, 'Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table'

-MATTHEW 15:25-26

REFLECTION:

The child/dog language was common and familiar to the culture and to Jesus and this woman. WE may take offense now, but at the time it made sense to them. Considering the nuances of the culture, different relationship structures and of individuals allows us to be more robust in our understanding with others.

RESPONSE:

Instead of being primed with what you think about a person or situation, how can you consider the nuances involved and let it give understanding rather than be quick to judge?

DAY
05

Then Jesus said to her, 'O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.' And her daughter was healed at once.

-MATTHEW 15:28

REFLECTION:

Because Jesus chose to work through the nuance of the culture and not label her a nuisance, the conversation goes beyond a request, into a heart affirming answer. Remember Jesus’ died for ALL people to bring us back to the Father.

RESPONSE:

If we are open to understanding people who are different from us, how can this become a way that God can use us to speak value and the love of Christ, into another person’s life?