Matthew Sermon 48 – Mat 15.21-39 – Jesus, Food for Israel, and Food for the World

Sermon intro

When Jesus fed the 4000, there were seven baskets left over; when He fed the 500o, there were twelve baskets left over. The more of Israel Jesus feeds, the more food there is for the world. This is what the woman of Canaan was saying when she referred to dogs eating the crumbs falling from the master’s table. (Mat 15.27.) Crumbs falling from the table are not food taken from the children’s mouths; they are the natural result of children being fed. And with Jesus, it isn’t crumbs that fall from the table, but baskets full. And the more children being fed at the table, the more baskets full of food will fall from the table for the world, to which all are welcome – yes, even dogs. Jesus’ response to the Canaanite woman signaled His commitment to feed God’s children; it signified that giving food to the world would not take one crumb from their mouths. (Mat 15.26.) In fact, the more God’s children eat, the more the world is fed. If we would draw the world to God’s table, the first thing we must do is believe and eat. I hope you enjoy the sermon. Thanks for listening. -Alan Burrow

Questions to answer while listening

* What were Tyre and Sidon?

* What themes run throughout this this text?

* What do Jesus and the Canaanite woman discuss healing in terms of?

* What theme helps explain Jesus’ response to the woman, as well as the seven large baskets of left over food after feeding the 4000?

* What was one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the Jews in responding to the gospel?

* How did many Jews view the idea of Gentiles coming into the kingdom without becoming Jews?

* Why is Paul so concerned to establish God’s righteousness?

* God’s covenant people were never meant to be the reservoir of God’s salvation, but the                                                           .

* What is the significance of the baskets of left over food?

* What is the Canaanite woman saying when she refers to crumbs falling from the table?

* What did Jesus’ response to the woman signal and signify?

* The more God’s children eat,                                                      .

* Eating is a matter of what?

* What were the envious Jews like?

* What is God telling the Jews through the Canaanite woman?

* What is the table of God’s children meant to do?

* If we as God’s children want the world to come and be fed, what is the first thing we need to do?

Discussion questions for small groups

In Mat 15.21-28, Jesus and the Canaanite woman both equate “food” with experiencing Jesus’ power in our lives. David does the same thing in Psalm 34 when he says, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34.8.) David wrote this psalm just after he had experienced God’s power in his life. Specifically, God enabled David to escape from the king of Gath by feigning madness. (1Sam 21.10 – 2.1) In celebration and gratitude, David penned Psalm 34.

1. According to David, what are some of the ways we can “taste” and see the power of God in our lives?  See Psalm 34.7, 9-10, 15, 17-19, 22.

2. Having experienced the power of God in his life, what does David want to do for us? See Psalm 34.11.

3. What does David tell us to do in order to learn the fear of God and experience His power? See Psalm 34.13-14.

4. How does David’s teaching in Psalm 34.13-14 related to what Jesus says in Mat 15.11?