July 7, 2025 • 21 mins
A mother’s faith breaks through the barriers of culture and tradition as she pleads with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter, proving that God’s mercy knows no bounds.
A desperate Gentile mother, Josephine, seeks out Jesus, pleading for her daughter’s healing from demonic possession. Though Jesus initially reminds her of His mission to the Jews, her unwavering faith moves Him to compassion, and He frees the girl, bringing peace to the broken family.
Today's Bible verse is Romans 10:13, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will
be saved. Romans ten thirteen. Gracious Lord, we thank you
for the promise that every one who calls on your
name will be saved. Your love knows no boundaries. Your
grace extends to all who seek you. We are in
(00:21):
awe of your mercy, and we call upon you now,
trusting in your saving power in moments of doubt and fear.
Remind us of the hope that we have in You.
Save us from our troubles, our sins, and our despair.
Fill us with the assurance that you are near, ready
(00:45):
to rescue and redeem. Help us to live in the
confidence of your salvation. Sharing this hope with others so
they too may call upon you and be saved. In
Jesus's name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with
(01:06):
me to day. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, Remain
here for a dark story about Jesus and demons. If
you've gleaned anything from this podcast, we'd love it if
you left a review and shared it with a friend.
Elijah ran through the orchard as her mother, Josephine, gathered
(01:29):
grapes from the ground. She rifled through the rotting fruits
to find the few that were still good enough to
sustain the pair. She had fought against the struggles of
poverty for many years, and now found peace in the
quietness of gleaning the fields as her daughter played in
the crunching leaves underfoot. It wasn't elegant work, but the
(01:54):
mother had placed her pride aside long ago. Herrigo had
been replaced by her profound affection for her daughter. Josephine
shifted her basket from one hip to the other as
she spied her daughter sneak off down another row. She
could hear her childish giggles carrying up through the thick
(02:16):
branches of the trees, and smiled as she began to
hump to herself. Alias innocent mischief was like a song
to the tired mother's heart, giving her the energy she
needed to press on through the day.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Don't go far, my love.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Josephine called out with a soft chuckle, knowing that Eliah
needed the comfort of the nearness of her mother as
much as she needed the comfort of the nearness of
her daughter. Josephine worked through the heat until her basket
was nearly full. She stretched her stiff back and closed
her eyes. The warm breeze enveloped her face as beads
(02:56):
of sweat cooled on her brow. She opened her eyes
as she wiped her face with the corner of her dress.
She called out for Elia in preparation to return home,
but she heard no reply.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Ellie, A hurry back, my precious girl, It's almost time
for supper.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
The lack of response didn't worry her. She was used
to her daughter's playfulness, but her heart began to panic
when she didn't hear the telltale sign of Elia's laughter.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
ELIEA, please, it's time to go. Don't worry your mother
like this.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Josephine heard the rustling of leaves a few yards off.
A young child scream shot up through the orchard. Josephine
dropped her basket to the ground as apples rolled in
every direction. She bolted toward the direction of the cry,
feeling as though her legs were moving faster than her
feet could keep up with. She broke into a small
(03:57):
clearing and saw Eliah lie on the ground. Her hair
was strewn about her face as she lie in a
pile of brown leaves. The dirt had been kicked up
like Eliah had been caught in a fight before her fall.
Josephine ran to her daughter and stroked her cheek. She
(04:17):
pressed her head against Elia's chest. She could hear the
faint beating of a heart. She gasped a sigh of relief,
but fear was far from gone for the concerned mother.
She called to Eliah as she laid in her arms.
The girl didn't move. Josephine gently shook her daughter, as
(04:40):
though trying to stir her from a deep sleep. She
began to shake her harder. Elia's limp body shook like
a rag doll. Hope began to drain from her face.
Josephine shrieked with all of her might, hoping some one
would comb and rescue her daughter. As Josephine began to sob,
(05:02):
a raspy breath of air glided over Elia's lips like
she was trying to speak.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
My baby, please wake up. Please.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Elia's dress was soaked with her mother's tears. As Josephine
continued to caress her hair, Elia's eyes sprang open. She
began to breathe heavily, panting like a dog. Her eyes
remained open but appeared lifeless as the little girl stared
(05:34):
off into space. Her neck snapped as she shot a
penetrating glare at Josephine. The girl strained for air and
tried to talk again. She could hardly muster up a groan.
Then her body began to convulse as her limbs contorted
in unnatural directions. Josephine rapped Eliah in her arms, binding
(05:58):
her movement like a straight jacket. She continued to sob
as she lifted her daughter from the earth and began
running to the town. Josephine banged on every door in desperation.
She begged anyone who was willing to listen to help her.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
You must help, please, I beg of you my daughter she's.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Unwell, But every household was as helpless to cure the
little girl as the next. Physically, Eliah was completely fine,
and as a result, there was little anyone could do.
Her illness ran deeper. Her soul was plagued with an
evil that refused to let her go. Dejected, Josephine slowly
(06:41):
made her way back home, leaving her hope behind her.
She carried nothing more than her daughter's frail body. Each
step led her away from the life she once loved.
Josephine spent many long nights tending to her daughter. She
would press dab claws upon her forehead through violent fevers
(07:04):
and hold her down with a firm tenderness when the
convulsions started back up. Josephine could feel herself growing helpless
with every passing hour. As Eliah slipped into a rare
bout of sleep, Josephine reclined in the bed next to her.
She sighed and stared out the window at the night
(07:26):
sky speckled with shimmering stars. The dazzling array reminded her
of stories she had heard as a young girl, stories
of the God of the Jews, who had promised provision
to his people. Though she was a gentile, she wondered
if the god, who was said to be full of
love might have some to spare for her and her
(07:50):
little girl.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Jesus's words aren't always easy to hear or understand, but
if we're faithful to press in and peel back the layers,
we will always find something rich and beautiful. Welcome to
the Jesus Podcast. We're spending the first couple weeks in
October exploring Jesus's authority over demons. We want Christ's light
illuminated during a season when darkness is celebrated. Take a
(08:22):
moment today to share this podcast with a friend. We
want everyone to be exposed to the power and presence
of Jesus. Today, we're diving into a story that might
make you raise an eyebrow or two. It's a story
inspired by Matthew Chapter fifteen, verses twenty one through twenty eight.
It includes a desperate mother, a seemingly unresponsive Jesus, and yes,
(08:44):
a conversation about demons.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Jesus rested in a home in the region of tire
and Sidon, enjoying a brief moment of anonymity. He was
in the land of the Gentiles, a place where a
Jewishi shrabbi would never be found. However, Jesus did not
follow such prejudiced traditions. He knew that the love of
God would eventually reach the nations of the Gentiles. However,
(09:14):
for now, his mission was focused on the Hebrews. He
had entered the house of a faithful follower, but did
not want anyone to know he was staying there. He
was content to be alone with his disciples and pour
into them the wisdom of God. He needed them ready
(09:36):
and prepared for the coming days. However, Jesus's fame had
stretched beyond the borders of Jedea. Before Jesus could even
raise his feet to rest, the door knocked relentlessly. Jesus
walked to the door and opened it softly. A genteel
(09:58):
woman stood at the entrance, holding her daughter in her arms.
The little girl was stirring and grunting. Her eyes were
rolled back, and she screamed at the sight of Jesus,
it was clear she was possessed by a demon. The
(10:19):
woman fell to her knees, holding her daughter up to Jesus.
Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Jesus, you are you the teacher from Nazareth.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Jesus bent down and placed a gentle hand on the
girl's clammy forehead. Eliah jerked at his touch and gnashed
her teeth violently. She let out a shriek, but Jesus
stood his ground. He stood upright and looked intently at
Josephine without saying a word. The desperate mother continued with
(10:56):
her plea.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Please, you are set to have power from heaven. Please
cast this demon out of my child. I can't watch
her suffer any longer. My heart is breaking.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Josephine broke into sobs, once again, unable to utter another word.
Jesus's heart was moved with compassion, but his body remained
unmoved in the open doorway, looking down at the woman
with a placid gaze. Do not know that I need
to feed the children before allowing the puppies chance to eat?
(11:36):
Why would I give the children's food to them? Jesus
spoke of his mission to the Jews over the Gentiles.
The Jews notoriously referred to Gentiles as dogs, but Jesus
chose a more enduring term, puppies. However, the air of
separation remained. Jesus questions came off as offensive to the woman,
(11:59):
but his talk relayed a message that carried no judgment,
just a point of truth meant to help the woman
see the complexity of her request. He of course, was
referring to his mission toward the Jews before the Gentiles. Still,
the woman winced at jesus reply. She knew that she
(12:21):
was a gentile. There was no escaping for birth. However,
deep down she knew her birth did not disqualify her
from the grace Jesus offered. She looked up at him
and risked pressing the issue. She wasn't pleading for personal gain.
(12:41):
Her faith had led her to Jesus and the hopes
of seeing her daughter made well.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
That may be so, my Lord, but even the pups
are allowed under the table to eat the crumbs that fall.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Jesus nodded, amazed at the woman's persistence and tact. He
knelt down and laid his hand on the girl's head. Again,
her gaze would not meet his. She thrashed her head
and grunted in her mother's arms. Jesus had come to
fulfill the salvation to the Jews first, but in his
(13:17):
unrelenting love, he would of course not allow this woman
to leave without healing her daughter. He looked at the woman,
then back at the girl. For the first time since
her her rival, The mother saw Jesus warm smile for
your statement. You may leave in peace.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
The demon has.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Left your daughter. Josephine looked down just in time to
see Elia's sparkling eyes open. No longer did she see
the lifeless gaze that haunted her dreams. She was staring
into her baby's dazzling green eyes, which were sweetly staring
back at her. A Liah choked on a cough and
(14:02):
tried to lift her head, but her weariness pulled her
back down into her mother's arms.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
My baby, oh sweet child, rest your head. You have
been through so much. You are the strongest person I
have ever known.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Josephine's teary eyes moved from her child to the healer.
It was as though his mere presence was enough to
bring her absolute peace, beyond her own understanding. All the
long days and nights of watching her child struggle with
the demon melted away, now feeling like nothing more than
(14:42):
a distant memory.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Thank you, blessed be your name, O Lord.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
The words were broken but genuine. Josephine had believed in
Jesus power, and it was her faith that made her
daughter well. Staring into the eyes Jesus, the grateful mother
was sure that the God of Israel had indeed looked
down upon her and had poured out his boundless love.
(15:11):
You're welcome, daughter, daughter. The word rang in Josephine's mind,
working its way down to her heart. It had been
a long time since she had felt the comfort of
a father. She wrapped her hand around her own daughter's cheek,
the little girl had fallen asleep, and for the first
(15:33):
time in weeks, she seemed tranquil, like an innocent lamb
lying down by still waters. She pressed her lips to
her forehead and gave her a gentle kiss. Elia's eye
slowly opened as she greeted her mother with a delicate smile.
The disciples happily watched the scene in silence. They too
(15:58):
knew what it was like to be accepted by God
despite feelings of inadequacy. Watching Jesus break down the walls
of division between nations and peoples was a true miracle.
They knew they were in the presence of someone far
greater than they could ever have imagined. And perhaps this
(16:21):
wasn't the anonymity Jesus had hoped for, but it was
the very work he had expected. He had come to
set the captives free, both jew and gentile. Andrew stood
to his feet and walked the mother and daughter to
the door. As Jesus made his way back to the
(16:43):
table and landed softly in his chair once more, he
raised his cup to his lips, taking a small sip
of wine. As the door slowly creaked close behind the
mother and daughter, the group could hear a faint giggle
outside has two small feet landed on the ground. Tiny
(17:07):
footsteps raced up the street with a light hearted daughter
and a relieved mother following.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
After, Jesus ventures into the region of tire and sidon,
the place you'd probably avoid if you were a devout
Jew of the time. Think of it as the wrong
side of the tracks. He's met by a Canaanite woman,
a gentile who cries out, have mercy on me, o,
Lord son of David, My daughter is severely demon possessed.
(17:37):
Now let's pause here. This woman crosses cultural and religious
boundaries to seek Jesus. She's a mother on a mission,
and nothing is going to stop her, not even centuries
of animosity between Jews and Canaanites. But how does Jesus respond?
He answered her not a word ouch ever, sent a
text and got left unread. Multiplied that feeling by a thousand.
(18:02):
Even the disciples urge Jesus to send her away. They're
annoyed by her persistence. When Jesus finally speaks, he says,
I was not sent except to the lost sheep of
the House of Israel. Translation, you're not on my current agenda.
It seems harsh, doesn't it. But hold on, there's more
beneath the surface. Undeterred, the woman worships him, saying, Lord,
(18:24):
help me. She drops the formalities and gets stray to
the point Jesus replies, it is not good to take
the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.
Did Jesus just call her a dog before you clutch
your pearls? Understand that the term little dogs softens the blow.
It's more like saying puppies. He's testing her faith, drawing
(18:45):
something deeper out of her. As she retorts, yes, Lord,
Yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall
from their master's table to shay, she's essentially saying, even
a crumb of your power can heal my daughter. Humility
and faith are on full display. Now, let's focus on
the demon aspect. Her daughter is severely demon possessed. In
(19:09):
those days, demon possession was a way to describe severe
physical or mental afflictions. Whether you interpret this literally or metaphorically,
the point is that her daughter is in desperate need
of deliverance. Demons in this context represent anything that torments
us addictions, fears, doubts, prejudices, or even literal demons. This
(19:34):
mother's battle is not just against a spiritual entity, but
against barriers that society has placed between her and Jesus.
What makes this story remarkable is that a gentile woman
recognizes Jesus as Lord and son of David, titles packed
with Jewish Messianic expectation. Meanwhile, the religious insiders are often
(19:57):
clueless or skeptical. Jesus commends, saying, O woman, great is
your faith, Let it be to you as you desire.
Her daughter is healed that very hour, her persistence pays off,
and a generational curse is broken. How can we apply
this story to ourselves today? First, let's have persistent faith
(20:18):
that transcends boundaries. Are we willing to cross societal lines
for the sake of those we love? This woman didn't
let cultural norms prevent her from seeking Jesus. Second, embrace
humility and wit. This woman doesn't argue or get offended
at Jesus. Instead, she cleverly engages him. Sometimes a humble
(20:38):
heart speaks louder than a loud mouth. Next, identifying our demons,
what are the modern day demons tormenting us or our
loved ones? Mental health struggles, substance abuse, deep seated anger.
Recognize these things and bring them to Jesus, and remember
God's purpose is bigger than our plans. Jesus's initial reluctance
(21:02):
wasn't rejection, but a set up for a greater revelation
that his mission includes all of us. This story teaches
us that even the crumbs of Jesus's power are sufficient
to overcome our greatest challenges. The woman's daughter was healed
not because of entitlement, but because of faith. So whether
you feel like an outsider or some one battling inner demons,
(21:25):
remember that Jesus's table has room for you. And sometimes
it's the persistent, humble faith that moves mountains or in
this case, expels demons. Let's not be afraid to approach
God with boldness, wit and unwavering faith. Who knows you
might just find that He's been waiting for you to
(21:46):
take that step all along.
Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will
be saved. Romans ten thirteen. Gracious Lord, we thank you
for the promise that every one who calls on your
name will be saved. Your love knows no boundaries. Your
grace extends to all who seek you. We are in
(00:21):
awe of your mercy, and we call upon you now,
trusting in your saving power in moments of doubt and fear.
Remind us of the hope that we have in You.
Save us from our troubles, our sins, and our despair.
Fill us with the assurance that you are near, ready
(00:45):
to rescue and redeem. Help us to live in the
confidence of your salvation. Sharing this hope with others so
they too may call upon you and be saved. In
Jesus's name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with
(01:06):
me to day. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, Remain
here for a dark story about Jesus and demons. If
you've gleaned anything from this podcast, we'd love it if
you left a review and shared it with a friend.
Elijah ran through the orchard as her mother, Josephine, gathered
(01:29):
grapes from the ground. She rifled through the rotting fruits
to find the few that were still good enough to
sustain the pair. She had fought against the struggles of
poverty for many years, and now found peace in the
quietness of gleaning the fields as her daughter played in
the crunching leaves underfoot. It wasn't elegant work, but the
(01:54):
mother had placed her pride aside long ago. Herrigo had
been replaced by her profound affection for her daughter. Josephine
shifted her basket from one hip to the other as
she spied her daughter sneak off down another row. She
could hear her childish giggles carrying up through the thick
(02:16):
branches of the trees, and smiled as she began to
hump to herself. Alias innocent mischief was like a song
to the tired mother's heart, giving her the energy she
needed to press on through the day.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Don't go far, my love.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Josephine called out with a soft chuckle, knowing that Eliah
needed the comfort of the nearness of her mother as
much as she needed the comfort of the nearness of
her daughter. Josephine worked through the heat until her basket
was nearly full. She stretched her stiff back and closed
her eyes. The warm breeze enveloped her face as beads
(02:56):
of sweat cooled on her brow. She opened her eyes
as she wiped her face with the corner of her dress.
She called out for Elia in preparation to return home,
but she heard no reply.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Ellie, A hurry back, my precious girl, It's almost time
for supper.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
The lack of response didn't worry her. She was used
to her daughter's playfulness, but her heart began to panic
when she didn't hear the telltale sign of Elia's laughter.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
ELIEA, please, it's time to go. Don't worry your mother
like this.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Josephine heard the rustling of leaves a few yards off.
A young child scream shot up through the orchard. Josephine
dropped her basket to the ground as apples rolled in
every direction. She bolted toward the direction of the cry,
feeling as though her legs were moving faster than her
feet could keep up with. She broke into a small
(03:57):
clearing and saw Eliah lie on the ground. Her hair
was strewn about her face as she lie in a
pile of brown leaves. The dirt had been kicked up
like Eliah had been caught in a fight before her fall.
Josephine ran to her daughter and stroked her cheek. She
(04:17):
pressed her head against Elia's chest. She could hear the
faint beating of a heart. She gasped a sigh of relief,
but fear was far from gone for the concerned mother.
She called to Eliah as she laid in her arms.
The girl didn't move. Josephine gently shook her daughter, as
(04:40):
though trying to stir her from a deep sleep. She
began to shake her harder. Elia's limp body shook like
a rag doll. Hope began to drain from her face.
Josephine shrieked with all of her might, hoping some one
would comb and rescue her daughter. As Josephine began to sob,
(05:02):
a raspy breath of air glided over Elia's lips like
she was trying to speak.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
My baby, please wake up. Please.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Elia's dress was soaked with her mother's tears. As Josephine
continued to caress her hair, Elia's eyes sprang open. She
began to breathe heavily, panting like a dog. Her eyes
remained open but appeared lifeless as the little girl stared
(05:34):
off into space. Her neck snapped as she shot a
penetrating glare at Josephine. The girl strained for air and
tried to talk again. She could hardly muster up a groan.
Then her body began to convulse as her limbs contorted
in unnatural directions. Josephine rapped Eliah in her arms, binding
(05:58):
her movement like a straight jacket. She continued to sob
as she lifted her daughter from the earth and began
running to the town. Josephine banged on every door in desperation.
She begged anyone who was willing to listen to help her.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
You must help, please, I beg of you my daughter she's.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Unwell, But every household was as helpless to cure the
little girl as the next. Physically, Eliah was completely fine,
and as a result, there was little anyone could do.
Her illness ran deeper. Her soul was plagued with an
evil that refused to let her go. Dejected, Josephine slowly
(06:41):
made her way back home, leaving her hope behind her.
She carried nothing more than her daughter's frail body. Each
step led her away from the life she once loved.
Josephine spent many long nights tending to her daughter. She
would press dab claws upon her forehead through violent fevers
(07:04):
and hold her down with a firm tenderness when the
convulsions started back up. Josephine could feel herself growing helpless
with every passing hour. As Eliah slipped into a rare
bout of sleep, Josephine reclined in the bed next to her.
She sighed and stared out the window at the night
(07:26):
sky speckled with shimmering stars. The dazzling array reminded her
of stories she had heard as a young girl, stories
of the God of the Jews, who had promised provision
to his people. Though she was a gentile, she wondered
if the god, who was said to be full of
love might have some to spare for her and her
(07:50):
little girl.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Jesus's words aren't always easy to hear or understand, but
if we're faithful to press in and peel back the layers,
we will always find something rich and beautiful. Welcome to
the Jesus Podcast. We're spending the first couple weeks in
October exploring Jesus's authority over demons. We want Christ's light
illuminated during a season when darkness is celebrated. Take a
(08:22):
moment today to share this podcast with a friend. We
want everyone to be exposed to the power and presence
of Jesus. Today, we're diving into a story that might
make you raise an eyebrow or two. It's a story
inspired by Matthew Chapter fifteen, verses twenty one through twenty eight.
It includes a desperate mother, a seemingly unresponsive Jesus, and yes,
(08:44):
a conversation about demons.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Jesus rested in a home in the region of tire
and Sidon, enjoying a brief moment of anonymity. He was
in the land of the Gentiles, a place where a
Jewishi shrabbi would never be found. However, Jesus did not
follow such prejudiced traditions. He knew that the love of
God would eventually reach the nations of the Gentiles. However,
(09:14):
for now, his mission was focused on the Hebrews. He
had entered the house of a faithful follower, but did
not want anyone to know he was staying there. He
was content to be alone with his disciples and pour
into them the wisdom of God. He needed them ready
(09:36):
and prepared for the coming days. However, Jesus's fame had
stretched beyond the borders of Jedea. Before Jesus could even
raise his feet to rest, the door knocked relentlessly. Jesus
walked to the door and opened it softly. A genteel
(09:58):
woman stood at the entrance, holding her daughter in her arms.
The little girl was stirring and grunting. Her eyes were
rolled back, and she screamed at the sight of Jesus,
it was clear she was possessed by a demon. The
(10:19):
woman fell to her knees, holding her daughter up to Jesus.
Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Jesus, you are you the teacher from Nazareth.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Jesus bent down and placed a gentle hand on the
girl's clammy forehead. Eliah jerked at his touch and gnashed
her teeth violently. She let out a shriek, but Jesus
stood his ground. He stood upright and looked intently at
Josephine without saying a word. The desperate mother continued with
(10:56):
her plea.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Please, you are set to have power from heaven. Please
cast this demon out of my child. I can't watch
her suffer any longer. My heart is breaking.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Josephine broke into sobs, once again, unable to utter another word.
Jesus's heart was moved with compassion, but his body remained
unmoved in the open doorway, looking down at the woman
with a placid gaze. Do not know that I need
to feed the children before allowing the puppies chance to eat?
(11:36):
Why would I give the children's food to them? Jesus
spoke of his mission to the Jews over the Gentiles.
The Jews notoriously referred to Gentiles as dogs, but Jesus
chose a more enduring term, puppies. However, the air of
separation remained. Jesus questions came off as offensive to the woman,
(11:59):
but his talk relayed a message that carried no judgment,
just a point of truth meant to help the woman
see the complexity of her request. He of course, was
referring to his mission toward the Jews before the Gentiles. Still,
the woman winced at jesus reply. She knew that she
(12:21):
was a gentile. There was no escaping for birth. However,
deep down she knew her birth did not disqualify her
from the grace Jesus offered. She looked up at him
and risked pressing the issue. She wasn't pleading for personal gain.
(12:41):
Her faith had led her to Jesus and the hopes
of seeing her daughter made well.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
That may be so, my Lord, but even the pups
are allowed under the table to eat the crumbs that fall.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Jesus nodded, amazed at the woman's persistence and tact. He
knelt down and laid his hand on the girl's head. Again,
her gaze would not meet his. She thrashed her head
and grunted in her mother's arms. Jesus had come to
fulfill the salvation to the Jews first, but in his
(13:17):
unrelenting love, he would of course not allow this woman
to leave without healing her daughter. He looked at the woman,
then back at the girl. For the first time since
her her rival, The mother saw Jesus warm smile for
your statement. You may leave in peace.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
The demon has.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Left your daughter. Josephine looked down just in time to
see Elia's sparkling eyes open. No longer did she see
the lifeless gaze that haunted her dreams. She was staring
into her baby's dazzling green eyes, which were sweetly staring
back at her. A Liah choked on a cough and
(14:02):
tried to lift her head, but her weariness pulled her
back down into her mother's arms.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
My baby, oh sweet child, rest your head. You have
been through so much. You are the strongest person I
have ever known.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Josephine's teary eyes moved from her child to the healer.
It was as though his mere presence was enough to
bring her absolute peace, beyond her own understanding. All the
long days and nights of watching her child struggle with
the demon melted away, now feeling like nothing more than
(14:42):
a distant memory.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Thank you, blessed be your name, O Lord.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
The words were broken but genuine. Josephine had believed in
Jesus power, and it was her faith that made her
daughter well. Staring into the eyes Jesus, the grateful mother
was sure that the God of Israel had indeed looked
down upon her and had poured out his boundless love.
(15:11):
You're welcome, daughter, daughter. The word rang in Josephine's mind,
working its way down to her heart. It had been
a long time since she had felt the comfort of
a father. She wrapped her hand around her own daughter's cheek,
the little girl had fallen asleep, and for the first
(15:33):
time in weeks, she seemed tranquil, like an innocent lamb
lying down by still waters. She pressed her lips to
her forehead and gave her a gentle kiss. Elia's eye
slowly opened as she greeted her mother with a delicate smile.
The disciples happily watched the scene in silence. They too
(15:58):
knew what it was like to be accepted by God
despite feelings of inadequacy. Watching Jesus break down the walls
of division between nations and peoples was a true miracle.
They knew they were in the presence of someone far
greater than they could ever have imagined. And perhaps this
(16:21):
wasn't the anonymity Jesus had hoped for, but it was
the very work he had expected. He had come to
set the captives free, both jew and gentile. Andrew stood
to his feet and walked the mother and daughter to
the door. As Jesus made his way back to the
(16:43):
table and landed softly in his chair once more, he
raised his cup to his lips, taking a small sip
of wine. As the door slowly creaked close behind the
mother and daughter, the group could hear a faint giggle
outside has two small feet landed on the ground. Tiny
(17:07):
footsteps raced up the street with a light hearted daughter
and a relieved mother following.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
After, Jesus ventures into the region of tire and sidon,
the place you'd probably avoid if you were a devout
Jew of the time. Think of it as the wrong
side of the tracks. He's met by a Canaanite woman,
a gentile who cries out, have mercy on me, o,
Lord son of David, My daughter is severely demon possessed.
(17:37):
Now let's pause here. This woman crosses cultural and religious
boundaries to seek Jesus. She's a mother on a mission,
and nothing is going to stop her, not even centuries
of animosity between Jews and Canaanites. But how does Jesus respond?
He answered her not a word ouch ever, sent a
text and got left unread. Multiplied that feeling by a thousand.
(18:02):
Even the disciples urge Jesus to send her away. They're
annoyed by her persistence. When Jesus finally speaks, he says,
I was not sent except to the lost sheep of
the House of Israel. Translation, you're not on my current agenda.
It seems harsh, doesn't it. But hold on, there's more
beneath the surface. Undeterred, the woman worships him, saying, Lord,
(18:24):
help me. She drops the formalities and gets stray to
the point Jesus replies, it is not good to take
the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.
Did Jesus just call her a dog before you clutch
your pearls? Understand that the term little dogs softens the blow.
It's more like saying puppies. He's testing her faith, drawing
(18:45):
something deeper out of her. As she retorts, yes, Lord,
Yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall
from their master's table to shay, she's essentially saying, even
a crumb of your power can heal my daughter. Humility
and faith are on full display. Now, let's focus on
the demon aspect. Her daughter is severely demon possessed. In
(19:09):
those days, demon possession was a way to describe severe
physical or mental afflictions. Whether you interpret this literally or metaphorically,
the point is that her daughter is in desperate need
of deliverance. Demons in this context represent anything that torments
us addictions, fears, doubts, prejudices, or even literal demons. This
(19:34):
mother's battle is not just against a spiritual entity, but
against barriers that society has placed between her and Jesus.
What makes this story remarkable is that a gentile woman
recognizes Jesus as Lord and son of David, titles packed
with Jewish Messianic expectation. Meanwhile, the religious insiders are often
(19:57):
clueless or skeptical. Jesus commends, saying, O woman, great is
your faith, Let it be to you as you desire.
Her daughter is healed that very hour, her persistence pays off,
and a generational curse is broken. How can we apply
this story to ourselves today? First, let's have persistent faith
(20:18):
that transcends boundaries. Are we willing to cross societal lines
for the sake of those we love? This woman didn't
let cultural norms prevent her from seeking Jesus. Second, embrace
humility and wit. This woman doesn't argue or get offended
at Jesus. Instead, she cleverly engages him. Sometimes a humble
(20:38):
heart speaks louder than a loud mouth. Next, identifying our demons,
what are the modern day demons tormenting us or our
loved ones? Mental health struggles, substance abuse, deep seated anger.
Recognize these things and bring them to Jesus, and remember
God's purpose is bigger than our plans. Jesus's initial reluctance
(21:02):
wasn't rejection, but a set up for a greater revelation
that his mission includes all of us. This story teaches
us that even the crumbs of Jesus's power are sufficient
to overcome our greatest challenges. The woman's daughter was healed
not because of entitlement, but because of faith. So whether
you feel like an outsider or some one battling inner demons,
(21:25):
remember that Jesus's table has room for you. And sometimes
it's the persistent, humble faith that moves mountains or in
this case, expels demons. Let's not be afraid to approach
God with boldness, wit and unwavering faith. Who knows you
might just find that He's been waiting for you to
(21:46):
take that step all along.
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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