GOSPEL THOUGHTS
The Silence of Jesus and the Shouting of the
Woman
1) The Silence of Jesus
When the Canaanite woman came to Jesus and Shouted with loud voice, "Jesus did not say a word in answer to her."
How do we understand the silence of Jesus?
Definitely, it was not an negligence of the woman's cry
It was not that Jesus wanted to ignore the woman or wanted to send her away without any help
In fact the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away as early as possible
It was not that Jesus wanted to differentiate between Israelite and non Israelites
2) Jesus' Silence is with a Purpose
First of all we can say that the silence of Jesus mat be to draw the attention of other people towards the woman and also to the problem of woman
The silence may be to understand the gravity of the matter and the situation of the woman
The silence may be to test the reaction of His disciples
The silence may be to test the real depth of woman's faith
The silence may be to give a powerful message about their discrimination against non-Israelite people and specially the Canaanites who were considered sinners and not worthy for God’s grace and blessing
The silence may be to make the entire episode more important and to nightlight the woman's faith
The silence may be to convey the message not to take for granted any situation very easily
The silence may be to delay the performance of the miracle so that we understand the importance of asking again and again from God when we want some favour from God
When we get the favour immediately when we ask we don't realise the importance of it. So Jesus may be wanted to know the importance of God's favour in our lives
So it is very clear that silence was with a great purpose
3) The Silence of Jesus really exposed the Woman and her Situation
First of all the silence of Jesus made her to follow Jesus very closely
Secondly, the silence of Jesus made her to fall at the feet of Jesus accepting Jesus as the Lord and Master
Thirdly the silence of Jesus exposed the woman as a great hero and model for rest of the World
Fourthly the Silence of Jesus benefited to have double favour : Her daughter was made well and secondly she became a great model of faith
Fifthly, the silence of Jesus exposed the real Nature of the Woman
She came out as a strong woman of faith. Jesus says to her "O woman, great is your faith"
She was not discouraged when Jesus was silent. That means her faith was very strong
She had firm faith in Jesus and she believed that Jesus would do something for her
She was even ready to take the least from Jesus. That the crumbs of bread falling from the table of the master. It means she had firm belief even in the crumbs, that is even little from the master would be sufficient. She didn't expect big thing from the Master, but whatever comes from the master would be sufficient for a great miracle
She had a firm belief that Jesus is able to perform miracle at any moment
The woman was of the opinion that by asking repeatedly somehow things will happen for the better.
4) The Shouting of the Woman
This is to catch the attention of Jesus
In her Shouting She revealed a great Truth "Lord, Son of David".
The phrase "Son of David" speaks about the genealogy of Jesus and that connects Him to Abraham and to the entire Salvation History. Such a great truth was revealed by the simple Canaanite woman's cry. So it was not a simple cry
The cry of the Woman immediately made people to recognize her as Canaanite woman and all the social discrimination attached to that tribe. But at the end all the barriers were broken and she becomes the model of faith
So her cry was instrumental to change the wrong perception of being a Canaanite woman and the privilege of being a Jew.
The cry really is the reflection of the persons need. Unless a person has a real need a person will not shout.
Shouting is the last remedy for help. It really calls for genuine need of the person and one suppose to help the one who is shouting or crying for help
Only a person who is in danger will shout.
Only a person when he does not see any other sort of help he/she will shout for the help
When a person shouts or cries for help it is an indication that the person is really in need.
5)How do I respond to the silence of Jesus at times in my Life?
Do I murmur and criticize?
Do I become angry with God?
What are the ways through which I handle the silence of God in my Life?
6) What is the importance of shouting/Cry in my life?
Do I value this?
Have I pleaded with the Lord in the crying manner?
Do I understand the value of others cries?
Does crying or Shouting (not shouting at others) makes any sense in my life
Jeppu
Seminary
Mangalore
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