A Mother's Story - Determination and Tenacity

“Hersh, Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you. Stay strong. Survive.”The mother of Hersh, held hostage by Hamas, pleaded a few weeks ago.  I could not bear to watch her give the eulogy.

The bond between mother and child is uniquely strong. Today we are talking about the mother bear quality we mothers summon up when we sense our children are in danger.  There are many stories both in the Bible  and life about mothers with guts, mother’s whose incredible courage save their children.

One of my favorites as a child was the story about A Levite woman, Jochebed.

You know this story.  When Jochebed, gave birth to a son she hid him for 3 months.   When she could hide him no longer, she coated a papyrus basket with tar and pitch, placed the baby in it, then she set it in the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Taken in by the Princess, his life was saved, and Moses lived to lead his people out of Egypt to the Promised Land.

In December, 2017, a group of mothers who banded together in Pennsylvania were named PennLive’s Newsmaker’s of the Year.  David Wenner writes,

They are mothers who each lost a child to heroin and opioid addiction. In many instances, the ordeal all but killed their own spirits as well. Yet their grief spawned a realization that they had an opportunity.  An opportunity to fight for their child, even after their child is dead, and to derive good from it. They rose and spoke at town halls and forums prompted by the crisis. They did so as a warning, and to let others who are suffering know they aren't alone.

I relate to today’s scripture, where we hear of a Canaanite woman who has the temerity to accost Jesus, so she’s obviously not Jewish.  First of all, she’s a woman, and women at that time did not directly initiate addressing strange men.  Second of all, she was the wrong race and wrong religion and wrong.  Here, in my opinion, Jesus came as close to sinning as he ever did.  He said no.  Hard to believe it, but that’s how he initially responded.

This mother from Tyre and Sidon, trying to get Jesus’ attention, shouts to him, addressing him appropriately, 22 …“Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”

Jesus ignores her.  He does not even answer her.  Evidently, this did not deter her because then his team, his disciples come and prevail upon him, insisting.23 ….“Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”   Jesus answers, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Evidently, Jesus understood his mission to be very specific.  After all it is the house of Israel that is God’s chosen.   he persevered.  She begged him..  This mother went and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

Jesus replies to her. “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”  Did  this mother take offense?  Was she discouraged.  Not a bit.  First she agrees with him saying, Yes, Lord. This is always a good stance in negotiating. Then using her wits, she continues, “Yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.  Wow.  Slam-dunk.

I find it surprising that Jesus referred to non-Jews using the code word dogs.  He would mean us, Gentiles.  This slur is still used today.  What I find fantastic about this story is that this mother’s tenacity, opened the ears, eyes, and heart of Jesus to go beyond his original mission, outside his comfort zone, and the cultural rules.  She had a profound impact on him.  He could hear and see both her faith and her pain.  We know this, because Jesus looked beyond her circumstances, her demographic and and answered her,  “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.  This Mother’s mission was accomplished by changing the perspective and then the actions of God fully incarnated in Jesus.

This is encouraging, is it not?  This message of perseverance and faith speaks to us today.  In all areas of our lives.  This speaks to God listening to us, hearing our prayers and responding to them.  It highlights the importance of belief, of having great faith in what Jesus can do if we ask.  Let us all be as persistent and strong in our faith as all these mothers.  Amen.