A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse May 27, 2018 Don't Listen to the Disciples Scripture Reading – Matthew 15:22 - 23 (NLT)"A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.' 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." 

Please don't misunderstand me when I say to you today, 'Don't Listen to the Disciples'! It is not a statement about their teachings and writings of course, but rather an admonition concerning the events described in today's text. In the same story in Mark, we discover that Jesus went away to a private place with His disciples, who I am sure were tired from ministry and looking forward to some quality time with the Master to rest and reflect.

Somehow this woman, with this heart significant need found out where they were, and went right into the home where Jesus was staying.

Unfortunately, the disciples were unable to see her need, because of their own limited understandings.

In fact, when Jesus did not say a word to this woman, they all spoke up to the Master, and told Him to get rid of her, because she was such a bother to them all! Bothered probably on a couple of counts: First of all, she was a Gentile, and not a partaker of the promises of Israel; Secondly, she was a woman, and should have (in their understandings) known much better than to come and approach Jesus in such a fashion.

Thankfully, she did not listen to the disciples, and kept on bringing her need humbly before Christ Jesus the Lord. Not only once, twice, but even three times pleading for His intervention. And the result of her faith? The daughter was instantly healed!Keep on coming to Jesus my friends. Nothing is too difficult for your God! 

PrayerFather, I come to You once again through Jesus my Lord. Holy Spirit fill me, and use me to be a voice and hand of healing to others I pray in Jesus precious name. Forgive me for the times I have been tempted to give up. I will keep on asking, knocking and seeking, even for those things that seem impossible, because You are the God of the impossible. 

Memory Verse:  John 14:13 NLT“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."