Hunger For Me

The Spirit of the Lord says: 

I want my people to be hungry. Hungry for me, hungry for my power, hungry for all that my Spirit entails. Don’t let your hearts be numbed but be alert for the farther you go away from my fire, the colder your heart will become.

If the Canaanite woman came and knelt before me, how much more should you, who know me? Stay close to me, my children and ask for more.

Activation: 

Read Matthew 15:21-28 through once in your favourite translation. Then reflect upon the verses below. In doing so, ask Holy Spirit to highlight in what areas you have lost your spiritual hunger. How did it happen and how could you avoid stumbling into the same glitch?

Repent for any numbness or slothfulness and ask Jesus to rekindle your passion for him.

v.22 – Canaanites were thoroughly pagan and corrupt. Their presence in the land went back a long way and was a strong threat to the purity of Israel’s religion and morality. So notice that in spite of being a Canaanite and a woman (considering the times), she not only went near Jesus, she even “cried out” to him; in her boldness, she recognised Jesus as “Lord, Son of David.” 

Let’s not give this for granted because the contrast is truly remarkable. In Israel in fact, Jesus had previously been saying that he was the Messiah, but his people were asking for proof with signs. While among the Gentiles he found the Canaanite woman who believed in who he said he was! 

V.23 – Matthew underlines that the woman’s hunger for Jesus’ help was so desperate, that even the disciples were pestered. Not even Jesus’ silence would dissuade her. 

v.24 – As we often see during his ministry, Jesus seems to be putting a stumbling block to test people. In this case, he puts his priority in Israel first. What would happen if we asked the Lord for something and he answered “no, I’m busy helping someone else”? 

v.25-26 – These verses show that the woman would in no way be sent away. Not even reminding her that she didn’t belong to the people of God would discourage her steadfast love. 

v.27-28 – The Canaanite woman understood very well who she was and the people she belonged to. Yet, even so, in submission to Jesus, she dared to insist and ask for her miracle. The more she bowed low, the more she gave glory to her Messiah. Jesus himself was amazed by her great faith and granted her request. Are we as stubborn in contending for a deeper relationship with our Lord?