"a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David [...]" (Matthew 15:22)
For years, I've had a fascination with the Matthew 15 passage involving Jesus and a Canaanite woman (a "Syro-Phoenician" woman if you're taking cues from Mark's gospel). The short 8-verse passage is dripping with allusion, implication, and controversy. It's a cornucopia of possibilities - whether you're interested in Christological, ecclesiastical, socio-cultural, narrative, gender, or ethnic issues, there's something for everyone to chew on. And, while we could spend all day dissecting the potential meanings and implications of Jesus' short dialogue with the woman and His miraculous healing of her daughter, the woman's initiating remarks have been my most recent interest:
"Have mercy on me, Lord - Son of David"
Devotional Thought
For years, I've had a fascination with the Matthew 15 passage involving Jesus and a Canaanite woman (a "Syro-Phoenician" woman if you're taking cues from Mark's gospel). The short 8-verse passage is dripping with allusion, implication, and controversy. It's a cornucopia of possibilities - whether you're interested in Christological, ecclesiastical, socio-cultural, narrative, gender, or ethnic issues, there's something for everyone to chew on. And, while we could spend all day dissecting the potential meanings and implications for Jesus' short dialogue with the woman and His miraculous healing of her daughter, the woman's initiating remarks have been my most recent interest:"Have mercy on me, Lord - Son of David"
The first part ("Have mercy on me, Lord") seems to be fairly common as a supplication of inferiors to a superior. Most commentators will note that the title "Lord," while appearing to be a recognition of Jesus' divinity, was a fairly common title applied to someone of higher status by someone of lower status. (The Spanish Señor for Lord does a pretty good job of approximating this posture.) Used here, it's likely simply a term of obeisance on the lips of a gentile woman who recognized her place, as understood by a Jewish Rabbi. However, the term "Son of David" is especially curious. Throughout Matthew, "Son of David" appears to have strong connotations with the term "messiah," which, for most Jews at the time, had distinct political and religious ties, especially relating to the longed-for Davidic kingship of Israel. It also appears to be behind Jesus' use of the term "Kingdom of Heaven' and "Kingdom of God." In fact, scholars have posited that the term "Son of David" - and people's acceptance or rejection of Jesus as such - is a key to understanding the Gospel of Matthew. One can see the importance of this term by way of its regular use throughout Matthew, even going back to the genealogy in chapter 1 introducing the entire book with "[...] this is Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
However we may see it, it's interesting that it's on the lips of a "Canaanite" woman. Conceivably, she has no stake in Jesus as Israel's potential king. Throughout their histories, Israel and the surrounding nations had constantly been at odds with each other - at various points, conquering and being conquered by each other. It seems as if she might even have a vested interest in seeing Israel not succeed in re-establishing a kingship, especially with Rome so tightly around their necks. But, somehow she recognizes what the religious and political leaders of Jesus' day seem unable - or unwilling - to recognize: that Jesus is indeed the messiah, prophesied about within the Old Testament. Strange.
For me, the strangeness begins to take on a familiarity when we take another look at the aforementioned genealogy in chapter 1. Anyone who peruses the list of names will quickly notice that it's filled with a who's who of Hebrew all-stars: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah. Some heavy hitters, for sure. But, if you go back over it again, 4 names stick out in the list: among the 42 men (3 sets of 14), one can see 4 women, at least 2 of which are non-Israelite (many scholars will argue that all 4 are actually gentile women). In light of Jesus' interaction with the Canaanite woman, one is especially interesting.
Verse 5 reads "Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab." If you remember your book of Joshua, you'll remember that in chapter 2, as Israel is about to launch into its Canaan campaign, 2 spies go to scope out their first city of conquest: Jericho. They happen upon the inn-keeper Rahab who explains to them just how terrified Jericho is of their impending invasion:
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you" (Joshua 2:9-11a, NASB)
She then makes a request of the Israelite spies: "[...] the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Joshua 2:11b-13, NASB)
A Canaanite confessing the supremacy of Yahweh, requesting favor from the incoming Israelite army in the face of the desolation of her family - a shadow of that Canaanite centuries later acknowledging the Messiah-ship of the Son of David, desperate for healing kindness for her daughter?
I'll admit. The romantic and poetic in me wants think that Jesus was thinking of Rahab as he was interacting with the Canaanite woman, or, at least, that Matthew had the person of Rahab in mind as he was editing the story of his gospel message. But, even if not - even if this particular connection is purely incidental, it is one of a myriad occurrences throughout the gospels which illustrates the broader truth: that "[...] the Lord your God, [is] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate [him], but showing loving-kindness to thousands, to those who love [him] and keep [his] commandments."
We serve a God who delights in mercy - who, at the slightest provocation, extends His loving-kindness. Our God's favor is resilient and his grace is robust. While His justice demands that sin is taken seriously, His fatherly compassion seeks every opportunity to draw us to Himself, even if that compassion means he bears the marks of justice on his own body.
We revel in this mercy, not that we might test its limits, but that we might confidently put our full weight on its mass and find in its strength the assurance to live fearlessly in the power of the Spirit. As the Canaanite woman can be tied to Rahab, great-great grandmother of King David, through the simple act of believing supplication, may we be the spiritual ancestors of the Canaanite woman, throwing ourselves into God's faithfulness. Be assured - it will support you.
Your District Admin.
Read More
NYC 2019
For all teens, parents and pastors of teens - NYC 2019 will be held in Phoenix, AZ and promises to be an amazing time of fun, fellowship, spiritual growth, and profuse sweating. Click HERE for more event information.
Pastor's Getaway
Our annual Pastoral retreat is happening Oct. 5-7 at the Hotel Karlan in San Diego. Click HEREto register or scroll down for more info. 
Women's Retreat 2019
Mark March 15-17 on your calendars to join us at the Town & Country Hotel in San Diego. Registration coming soon.
Growing Young (en Español)
Te invitamos a que vengas a aprender las estrategias quetoda iglesia necesita considerar para alcanzar la siguiente generación de jóvenes. Para obtener más información y registrarse, visite aqui o descarga un folleto aqui
Minister's Getaway
Remember - October 5-7, is our Minister's Getaway: a chance for a weekend of rest, renewal, and rejoicing at the Double Tree Hotel at 14455 Penasquitos Drive, San Diego, CA 92129. Our speaker will be Dr. Carla D. Sunberg, recently elected General Superintendent. The cost is $375/room (double occupancy) and includes accommodations, 2 dinners, and 1 picnic lunch. Click here for a PDF flier or here for a Word flier. Register here as soon as possible!
Kids Quizzing
Here is the tentative schedule for the 2018/2019 quiz year. Please contact Mary Mitchell if you are willing to host an invitational quiz on December 1st.- Invitational Quiz #1: October 13, 2018 - SD Mission
- Invitational Quiz #2: December 1, 2018 - TBD
- Invitational Quiz #3: February 2nd, 2019 - Gateway
- Invitational Quiz #4: March 16th, 2019 - Parkway Hills
- District Quiz: April 6, 2019 - Mission
- Regional Quiz at PLNU: May 11, 2019 (for those who qualify)
If you would like to also order the CD or DVD of the verses, they can be purchased on Hide and Keep’s website: https://www.hideandkeep.com
Revival Services at Gateway
September 23-25, Murrieta Gateway Church of the Nazarene will be hosting Dan Bohi, Craig Rench, and Jay and Judy Jellison for a #becomingLOVE conference. For a downloadable flier, click HERE. Or, for more information contact Murrieta Gateway Nazarene.
SoCal Work & Witness Trips
It's not too late to register! The SoCal NMI Council is dedicated to helping churches engage their people with Nazarene Missions around the world. We will continue to support Ojos Negros Baja Mexico, Haiti and this year we are adding a new project – Puerto Rico! This November, we are hoping to involve our youth and college students with our Puerto Rico project - no passport required! Please ask your church to pray about supporting our District Projects. For more info or to donate, contact Rob Altice: menifeenaz@hotmail.com (Click on the adjacent picture to download a printable flyer)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) responds quickly to disasters around the world. Many times, resources are on their way before websites or social media can be updated. Before donating to other organizations or ministries, always consider donating to NCM: www.ncm.org
2018 Missionary Books:
"First published in 1945, then re-released in 1989, Africa, O Africa, by Louise Robinson Chapman, has become a classic that needs to be re-read, every decade, by every Nazarene!" says Teresa Hodge (East Tenn. District NMI) "I first read the 1989 edition, as a young pastor’s wife/mother/graduate student, and recently re-read the new release. Picking up the book 28 years after reading it the first time, it was impossible to put down before reading the whole book at one sitting. It goes far beyond being a “missionary book” to being an inspiration for prayer, for service, and for Christian life.” You may access a PDF copy of Africa O Africa by clicking here or purchasing a printed copy by clicking here. Click here to access the audio files.
Also, Has God spoken to you through this year’s NMI missions books? Share your thoughts in 50 words or less, and e-mail at nmi@nazarene.org
Volunteer Opportunities:
Interested in volunteering with the Church of the Nazarene for a few months to a couple of years? Click here to view the current needs.
Medical Missions:
Download the NMI video Medical Missions: Gift of Health. It is a look at Nazarene medical missions and their significant impact on health. Click here for English. Click here for Spanish
Order the redesigned Alabaster Box by clicking here
Did You Know?
There are over 4,400 churches yet to be organized in Africa. Pray that these groups of believers will soon become official members of the Church of the Nazarene.
Nazarenes gave US $3.7 mission in deputation offerings for missionaries last year. Thank you for giving.
In 2017 there were over 37,000 NYI members in Mozambique. Thank you for praying for Mozambique.
***
NMI News
When Disaster Strikes:Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) responds quickly to disasters around the world. Many times, resources are on their way before websites or social media can be updated. Before donating to other organizations or ministries, always consider donating to NCM: www.ncm.org
2018 Missionary Books:
"First published in 1945, then re-released in 1989, Africa, O Africa, by Louise Robinson Chapman, has become a classic that needs to be re-read, every decade, by every Nazarene!" says Teresa Hodge (East Tenn. District NMI) "I first read the 1989 edition, as a young pastor’s wife/mother/graduate student, and recently re-read the new release. Picking up the book 28 years after reading it the first time, it was impossible to put down before reading the whole book at one sitting. It goes far beyond being a “missionary book” to being an inspiration for prayer, for service, and for Christian life.” You may access a PDF copy of Africa O Africa by clicking here or purchasing a printed copy by clicking here. Click here to access the audio files.
Also, Has God spoken to you through this year’s NMI missions books? Share your thoughts in 50 words or less, and e-mail at nmi@nazarene.org
Volunteer Opportunities:
Interested in volunteering with the Church of the Nazarene for a few months to a couple of years? Click here to view the current needs.
Medical Missions:
Download the NMI video Medical Missions: Gift of Health. It is a look at Nazarene medical missions and their significant impact on health. Click here for English. Click here for Spanish
Did You Know?
There are over 4,400 churches yet to be organized in Africa. Pray that these groups of believers will soon become official members of the Church of the Nazarene.
Nazarenes gave US $3.7 mission in deputation offerings for missionaries last year. Thank you for giving.
In 2017 there were over 37,000 NYI members in Mozambique. Thank you for praying for Mozambique.
Perhaps a Perpetual Request
A few months ago we asked for pastors to send in a 1-3 paragraph description of your church to post on the district website. We're now up to 18 percent participation, which, in terms of high school grading would definitely get us held back. However, if you're going by milk-fat percentage, it's astronomical! I say, great job! now let's shoot for average of all MLB batting averages (about .260).
District Events Calendar
- Men's Retreat: September 14 - 16
- #becoming LOVE Conference: September 23-25
- Minister's Getaway: October 5 - 7
- Kids Invitational Quiz (SD Mission): October 13
- Puerto Rico - Work and Witness: November 5-12
- Kids Invitational Quiz (TBD): December 1
- Kids Invitational Quiz (Gateway): February 2, 2019
- Women's Retreat: March 15-17, 2019
- Kids Invitational Quiz (Parkway Hills): March 16, 2019
- Kids District Quiz (SD Mission): April 6, 2019
- Kids Regional Quiz (PLNU) May 11, 2019
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