But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, Send her away, for she cries out after us. (Matthew 15:23)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Remember me, O Lord.” It seemed like both Jesus and His disciples wanted to forget this woman with a demon-possessed daughter. Put her out of their minds. Ignore her. So she has to cry out even more. She will not be quiet. Jesus even calls her a dog, He brings the test to her. The Canaanite woman does not disagree--but instead says, "yes" I am a dog--but even the dogs get the crumbs from the masters table.
It's easy in our sinfulness to think the Lord forgets about us. Ignores us. Isn't paying attention. Doesn't know. Doesn't care. Has He forgotten me? What about my pain and suffering that I am feeling in my heart? The pain in my body that is weak.
Jesus can't forget that He came to save you. He can't, for a moment, forget that He came to throw down Satan's power. Jesus came to rescue this woman, her daughter and you. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23) The plea of the church is holding on to God's promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ for you--living in faith and trust in our Lord. Jesus is teaching her and us that He never forgets--never to leave and never to forsake us. We don't pray to remind Jesus of anything but so that we learn to believe that He never forgets.
“O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15) Great Faith holds on to Jesus--clings to God's promises through all of what we face in life. Great faith--holds on to Jesus’ Words--that are life giving for you. Great Faith holds onto God's promise in Holy Baptism that your sins are washed away. Great faith hungers to be fed from the master’s table--a crumb would do--but the Lord gives you Himself--His Body and Blood.
Jesus remembers sinners. Jesus on the cross of Calvary; Jesus' empty tomb; Jesus’ Word and water and body and blood are all His promise to you that He never forgets. Remember, Lord! How could He forget? He can't. Not ever. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Berndt