Google defines mercy as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. The true power of God is found in His ability to be a merciful Creator.
The woman in today's passage was called out by Jesus Christ for having great faith. This woman was a stranger—term given to people who were not consider to be among God’s chosen people.
The Jews were God's chosen, but many of them (especially the leaders) didn’t accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Many of them rejected His teachings and rebelled against any claim that connected Him to the true and living God.
Matthew 15:22 introduces us to a different level of faith, And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
This woman—this stranger—cried for mercy first, followed by an acclamation of the deity of Christ “O Lord, Son of David.” I know Jesus knows everything, but surely this salutation got His attention and made Him stop in His tracks.
She asked for compassion and forgiveness from the One who could have punished or harmed her. I'm not sure if she expected to meet Jesus that day, but she was definitely in the right place at the right time and so was her heart.
Mercy, Mercy, Me!
Increase Your Faith: Get God's attention. Call out for Mercy. Give honor to the God of Mercy. Call upon His Holy Name, while mercy can be found.
Read the entire passage for this week's focus in Matthew 15:21-28.