In Matthew 15, the story of the woman of Canaan highlights a powerful lesson about healing being the children’s bread. The woman came to Jesus, pleading for healing for her daughter who was grievously tormented by a demon. Despite her desperate cries, Jesus initially responded with silence, and when the disciples urged Him to send her away, He declared that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. His response seemed harsh—”It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs”—but the woman persisted. She humbly acknowledged her position but believed that even the crumbs from the table would be enough to heal her daughter. Jesus, impressed by her faith, granted her request, and her daughter was healed.
This moment reflects an important truth: healing is the children’s bread. Healing isn’t a luxury or a rare treat; it’s a staple, something that is provided for God’s children. Bread, in this context, represents deliverance and healing, accessible to all who are part of God’s family. The woman, though not a part of the Jewish community, was able to receive healing because of her faith. For us, as believers, healing is no longer just something reserved for a few but is available to every child of God. It is not a special reward or a dessert; it’s fundamental and available to all who are part of the family of God.
The key lesson here is that healing is part of God’s provision, and we must recognize it as such. Just as bread is essential for nourishment, healing is essential for spiritual and physical well-being. It is not a privilege reserved for a select few but a right for all who belong to God. Jesus’ response to the woman may seem harsh at first, but it was meant to test her faith. Her unwavering belief in the power of God’s provision for her, even if it meant receiving crumbs, demonstrated the kind of faith that moves God’s heart. It wasn’t about her being a member of the right family or having the right status; it was about her belief in God’s ability and willingness to heal.
In our lives, we may often find ourselves in situations where we are looking for quick solutions or immediate healing. However, God is not just interested in quick fixes; He wants to deal with the deeper issues in our lives. He wants to connect with us, and sometimes, He will delay or withhold immediate answers to draw us closer to Him. When we are desperate, we may try to rush God, seeking quick healing or deliverance, but often, God will call us into a deeper relationship. He wants us to sit with Him, reflect, and work through our challenges with His guidance.
Healing is available to all of us. Just as the woman received healing through her persistent faith, we, too, can experience healing if we have the faith to claim it. It’s not about being special or deserving; it’s about recognizing that healing is a part of God’s provision for His children, and it’s our right to claim it.
Appropriating the Healing Bread
The notion that healing is the children’s bread becomes even clearer when we explore the Bible’s broader teaching about God’s provision. In Psalm 23, we see God as a shepherd who provides for His sheep. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This statement reflects the abundance and care God provides for His children. He leads us to green pastures, restores our souls, and even prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. The provision of God is not just spiritual but includes physical healing and deliverance, available to us even in the midst of our struggles.
This “table” of provision is not something reserved for the afterlife, but it is something accessible right here, in this world, in the presence of our enemies—be it sickness, disease, or any other obstacle. Healing, as part of God’s provision, is available for us in the present, in the midst of our trials. Even when we face challenges or have enemies—be it sickness, negative reports, or other adversities—God’s table of provision is set before us, offering us the bread of healing.
In Matthew 4:4, Jesus tells us that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Here, He emphasizes that the Word of God is just as essential for life as bread. And what does God’s Word say about healing? It affirms that healing and deliverance are part of His promises to us. Just as bread sustains our physical bodies, God’s Word sustains our spirit, bringing healing and restoration. Healing, therefore, is not just an occasional blessing; it is a continual, present provision from God.
To claim healing, we must come to the table and appropriate it. This means that we must actively seek God’s healing, not passively wait for it to come. We must approach God with faith, asking, seeking, and knocking for the healing we desire. As believers, we have a right to the “bread” of healing, and we must claim it by faith. This is not about begging or pleading with God; it is about standing on His promises and accepting the healing He has already provided.
The act of appropriating healing involves a spiritual response. It’s not just about asking for healing; it’s about accepting that it is already provided and believing that it belongs to us as children of God. Just as we don’t hesitate to ask for a piece of bread when we are hungry, we should not hesitate to ask for healing when we are in need. The bread is on the table, and we must claim it.
Healing is the children’s bread, and it belongs to us as part of God’s family. It’s not about our worthiness or deserving it, but about understanding that it is our right as children of God. Healing is available to all who have faith to receive it. It’s not about crumbs; it’s about sitting at God’s table and claiming the full provision He offers. “Pass the bread, please.” Healing is our right, and it’s available now, in the presence of our enemies, through faith in God’s promises.
Prayer Request Page: Lorna and Tony would be honored to pray for your healing personally. Let us stand in agreement with you today.
A Gift of Healing: Discover these 2 chapters from our book, designed specifically to boost your faith and help you receive God’s promises.
A Surprise Healing: Read this encouraging account written by Lorna that describes a surprise healing, when she prayed for someone.
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