A Determined Mother's Story Reveals the Purpose of Motherhood

"Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn't want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn't keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast it out." Mark 7:24-26 NLT

Many different people groups were not Jewish, but Scripture often uses the overarching term Gentiles to refer to non-Jewish people. "For this Canaanite woman, the title Lord is probably just an expression of great respect," the ESV Global Study Bible explains, "Her use of Son of David shows some knowledge of Jewish thoughts about him." Knowing God is purposeful, and Jesus is fully God and fully Man, we know He meant to run into this woman with His disciples in tow. She was perfectly placed for a miracle.

Persistent Perseverance

"But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. 'Tell her to go away,' they said. 'She is bothering us with all her begging.'" Matthew 15:23 NLT

Is there anything more persistent than a mother searching for aid for her child? "Mess with my daughters," I joke to my girls, "and you are dead to me." It's extreme, and of course, I forgive, but my loyalty is always to protect my daughters with fierce love as the Lord protects me with His. We pray desperately for healing when they are sick and defend them with all our might against those who wish them harm. This mom was annoying Jesus' disciples, but she didn't care. Jesus ignored her, but she kept pleading. "Jesus' mission was first to 'his own (Jn. 1:11), the chosen people of God, but ultimately to 'all who received him' (1:12)," Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains, "Limitations of time held his ministry on earth within the bounds of Israel; reaching the Gentiles was left to the activity of the Holy Spirit working through his disciples."   

Mothers, our persistent perseverance matters to God. Jesus made time for this woman. He went out of His for her. "Throughout his ministry, Jesus showed supreme patience with requests that others would have silenced," Scott Hubbard wrote, "He took uncouth requests, he took imperfect, even halfway unbelieving prayers, and he passed them through the refining fires of his own loving heart." We may not see every miracle we pray for on this earth, but that never means to stop praying and believing for them. Jesus said: 

"At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name." John 16:23 NLT

Fully Known

"Then Jesus said to the woman, 'I was sent only to help God's lost sheep- the people of Israel.'" Matthew 15:24 NLT

Moms, we spend so much time looking at our beloved children, getting to know them, and infusing them with wisdom we sometimes forget we are fully known by our Savoir. "Jesus was making the point that the Gospel was to be first given to the Jews," Hailey's Bible Notes explain, "The gentile woman understood Jesus' comment but persisted in faith with her reply." The Jews and the Gentiles avoided being mixed after the exile. Jesus knew this woman completely. Before she approached Him, He knew what her request would be. Scripture reminds us we are knit together in our mother's womb. God created us with a specific purpose, for His glory. He didn't start making humans differently after Jesus died for our salvation. Fully God and fully man, Jesus knew this woman's heart completely. So many Jewish people rejected Jesus, yet this woman worshipped Him though she didn't fully understand what having faith in Him meant.

Knowing Discernment

"But she came and worshipped him, pleading again, 'Lord, help me!' Jesus responded, 'It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.' She replied, 'That's true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their master's table.'" Matthew 15:25-27 NLT

The mother worshipped Jesus and pleaded with Him. Her humility overflowed out of a heart for her daughter. Jesus' response is not as harsh as the text translates to English: "The Greek word Jesus uses here suggests a more affectionate term for domestic pets," the ESV Global Study Bible clarifies, "Jesus is not insulting the woman but testing her faith." The woman knew what He meant, and in her response, referred to Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on the earth will be blessed through you." 

Discernment is essential in motherhood. Knowing our children well and our Savior even better helps us navigate each day as it comes. This woman, this day, knew who Jesus was and what she needed to ask of Him. Her life at stake, she threw her whole faith in who she thought He might be. 

We can throw our faith in Jesus, knowing exactly who He is. Savior, the Messiah, sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, interceding for us. "She identifies Jesus as the Messiah. She calls him her Lord. She recognizes Jesus' authority and acknowledges her need of his help," Ligon Duncan said, "Her hope and confidence was in his person. She was staking her whole trust in him." Jesus is acting on our behalf and is always with us. We can always approach Him fully and consistently with anything.

Assured Selflessness

"'Dear woman,' Jesus said to her, 'your faith is great. Your request is granted.' And her daughter was instantly healed." Matthew 15:28 NLT

The selflessness of a mother is hard to surpass. This mother sees her small child suffering and doesn't know how to stop it. The text doesn't say if she's rich or poor or has sought other means of healing, but we can only assume by her desperate stance towards Jesus the search has been ongoing. Sometimes, we lead our children to the feet of our Lord by landing at His feet, ourselves. We are our children's advocates here on earth, but He is our Advocate. He not only loves us with the powerful love which saved our literal lives, but He loves our children that way, too. Mark recorded: 

"She replied, 'That's true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's plates.' 'Good answer!' he said. 'Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.' And when she arrived home she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone." Mark 7:28-29 NLT

She never gave up, and neither should we. I have a child with an incurable disease. I'll never stop praying for God to heal her, or believing He can, whether it happens on this earth or not. We are made to seek the powerful presence of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Following Him leads us to godly motherhood, the purpose of our lives in our children.

Additional Resources:

• The ESV Global Study Bible®, ESV Bible® Copyright © 2012 by Crossway. All rights reserved.
• Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary Copyright © 1987, 2011 by Zondervan.
• Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament
• Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version, Copyright © 2000 by Halley's Bible Handbook, Inc.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/skynesher

Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at megbucher.com. She is the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ,” and "Sent, Faith in Motion." Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team at Salem Web Network. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church, leads Bible study, and serves as a youth leader for teen girls.