20260220 [새벽묵상] 주님의 긍휼하심을 끝까지 붙드는 믿음 | Faith That Holds Fast to the Lord’s Mercy (마/Mt 15:21~28)

15:21 예수께서 거기서 나가사 두로와 시돈 지방으로 들어가시니

15:22 가나안 여자 하나가 그 지경에서 나와서 소리 질러 이르되 주 다윗의 자손이여 나를 불쌍히 여기소서 내 딸이 흉악하게 귀신 들렸나이다 하되

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

15:23 예수는 한 말씀도 대답하지 아니하시니 제자들이 와서 청하여 말하되 그 여자가 우리 뒤에서 소리를 지르오니 그를 보내소서

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

15:24 예수께서 대답하여 이르시되 나는 이스라엘 집의 잃어버린 양 외에는 다른 데로 보내심을 받지 아니하였노라 하시니

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

15:25 여자가 와서 예수께 절하며 이르되 주여 저를 도우소서

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

15:26 대답하여 이르시되 자녀의 떡을 취하여 개들에게 던짐이 마땅하지 아니하니라

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

15:27 여자가 이르되 주여 옳소이다마는 개들도 제 주인의 상에서 떨어지는 부스러기를 먹나이다 하니

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

15:28 이에 예수께서 대답하여 이르시되 여자여 네 믿음이 크도다 네 소원대로 되리라 하시니 그 때로부터 그의 딸이 나으니라

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

                 어제 우리는 자신들을 정결한 백성으로 확신한 바리새인과 서기관들이 실제로는 헛되이 하나님을 경배하고 있음을 보았습니다. 그런데 오늘 말씀은 예수님께서 부정한 땅의 가나안 여인을 큰 믿음의 사람이라고 칭찬하시는 모습을 볼 수 있습니다. 예수님이 오신 후의 세상은 더이상 정결의 관점으로 구분되지 않고 예수님에 대한 믿음의 관점으로 구분되는 것입니다. 오늘은 “주님의 긍휼하심을 끝까지 붙드는 믿음”에 대해서 함께 나누기 원합니다.

[Introduction]

Yesterday, we witnessed the Pharisees and scribes—who were so convinced of their own purity—actually worshipping God in vain. But in today’s Word, we see Jesus praising a Canaanite woman from an "unclean" land as a person of "great faith."

Since Jesus has come, the world is no longer divided by standards of ritual purity, but by the standard of faith in Him. Today, I want to share a message titled: “Faith That Holds Fast to the Lord’s Mercy Until the End.”

                어제 바리새인들과 서기관들을 신랄하게 비판하셨기 때문이었을까요? 예수님께서는 게네사렛 지방에서 두로와 시돈 지방으로 몸을 피하십니다. 두로와 시돈 지방은 이방인들의 지역으로 이스라엘로부터 북서쪽, 지중해 연안에 위치해 있습니다. 이곳은 고대로부터 해상 무역의 중심지였으며 구약에서는 이 지역을 교만한 물질주의와 바알 숭배로 심판 받아 마땅한 지역이라고 예언하고있지요. 오죽하면 마태복음 11:21-22의 말씀도 이 두로와 시돈을 소돔 땅과 비교할 정도로 구약의 대표적인 부정한 지역이었습니다. 그런데 이 부정한 땅의 주민인 가나안 여자 하나가 나와서 계속 예수님께 소리를 지릅니다. 22절입니다. “주 다윗의 자손이여 나를 불쌍히 여기소서 내 딸이 흉악하게 귀신 들렸나이다.” 이 여인이 하는 말을 가만히 살펴보면 이는 실로 놀라운 믿음의 고백입니다. 그녀는 예수님을 주라고 부릅니다. 앞으로도 보시겠지만 그녀는 예수님을 부를 때마다 ‘주여’ 라고 부릅니다. 그리고 그녀는 예수님을 ‘다윗의 자손’이라고 부릅니다. 이는 메시아를 가르키는 대표적인 칭호이지요. 이는 유대인도 아닌 이 가나안 여인이 예수님이 메시아, 또 주님이라고 고백하고 있는 장면인 것입니다. 정작 하나님의 말씀을 연구하고 가르치는 유대인 중의 유대인인 정결한 바리새인들과 서기관들은 예수님을 알아보지 못하는데 부정한 땅의 부정한 여인이 예수님을 ‘주 다윗의 자손’이라고 부르고 있는 것입니다.

[1. A Surprising Confession from an Unclean Land]

Perhaps it was because He had just bitingly criticized the Pharisees and scribes, but Jesus withdrew from Gennesaret to the district of Tyre and Sidon. This region was Gentile territory, located northwest of Israel along the Mediterranean coast. Historically, it was a center of maritime trade, and the Old Testament prophets often spoke of it as a place deserving judgment for its pride, materialism, and Baal worship. In Matthew 11:21-22, Jesus even compared Tyre and Sidon to Sodom. It was, by all biblical accounts, a representative "unclean" region.

Yet, a Canaanite woman from this unclean land came out and began crying out to Jesus. Look at verse 22: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” If you look closely at her words, this is a truly remarkable confession of faith. She calls Jesus "Lord." As you will see, every time she addresses Him, she says "Lord." Moreover, she calls Him "Son of David"—a quintessential Messianic title. Here is a Gentile woman, not a Jew, confessing that Jesus is the Messiah and the Lord.

Isn't it ironic? The "pure" Pharisees and scribes, who studied and taught God’s Word, failed to recognize Jesus. Yet, an "unclean" woman from an "unclean" land recognizes Him as the "Lord, Son of David."

                그 뿐만이 아니지요. 그녀는 예수님의 긍휼을 구합니다. 예수님께서 불쌍히 여기실 것이라는 것을 믿고 있는 것이에요. 게다가 예수님의 능력에 대한 믿음이 있었습니다. 자신의 딸이 그냥 귀신이 들린 것도 아니고 흉악하게 귀신이 들렸는데 그래도 예수님께서는 치유하실 수 있다는 믿음이 있었던 거에요. 그래서 28절을 보면 귀신이 나갔다고 말하지 않고 ‘나았다, 치유되었다’ 라고 말하고 있는 것입니다. 자 그런데 여러분, 당시에 이방신들 중에 에쉬문이라고 하는 신이 있었습니다. 치료의 신이었어요. 그 에쉬문의 신전이 바로 이 지역에서 고작 3마일 떨어져 있었습니다. 여러분께서 가나인 여인이었다면 어디로 가시겠습니까? 우리를 사람취급도 안하는 유대인들의 랍비에게로 가시겠습니까? 아니면 여러분의 치료의 신인 에쉬문에게로 가시겠습니까? 여러분 이 여인이 예수님께 나아온 것이 얼마나 큰 믿음인지 또 얼마나 절박한 것인지 느껴지십니까?

[2. Desperation That Transcends Alternatives]

She wasn't just making a theological statement; she was pleading for mercy. She believed in Jesus’ compassion and His power. Her daughter wasn't just sick; she was severely oppressed by a demon. Yet, the woman believed Jesus could heal her. This is why verse 28 says the daughter was "healed," not just that the demon left.

Consider this: at that time, there was a pagan god named Eshmun, known as the god of healing. The Temple of Eshmun was located only about three miles from this region. If you were this Canaanite woman, where would you go? Would you go to a Jewish Rabbi who doesn't even treat you as a human being? Or would you go to Eshmun, your local "god of healing"?

Can you feel how immense her faith was and how desperate she was to choose Jesus?

                그런데 이렇게 예수님께 계속해서 소리지르는 여인의 외침에 예수님은 한 말씀도 대답하지 않으십니다. 여태껏 마태복음에서 묘사한 예수님께서 사역을 하셨던 동기는 긍휼, 즉, 불쌍히 여기심이었습니다. 그런데 자신을 불쌍히 여겨달라고 끊임없이 외치는 이 여인의 목소리를 예수님께서는 완전히 무시하고 계시는 것입니다. 오죽하면 제자들이 와서 간청을 합니다. “예수님, 저 여자가 계속 따라오면서 소리를 지르는데 그냥 보내시지요.” 아마도 제자들은 예수님께서 그들을 단기선교 보내시며 말씀하셨던 것을 기억하고 있었는지도 모르겠습니다. 10:5-6을 보면 예수님께서 이들을 보내시며 이방인들에게 가지 말고 유대인들에게 가라고 명령하시지요. 그래서 아마 ‘아 예수님께서 저 이방 여인을 도울 생각이 없으신가보다 차라리 빨리 보내는게 낫겠다’ 라고 생각했는지 모르겠어요. 자, 여인을 보내자고 제자들이 말을 했으니 예수님께서 ‘그래 그러면 너희들이 보내라’ 이렇게 말씀하시는 것이 순리이겠지요. 그런데 예수님께서는 이상한 대답을 하십니다. 24절, “나는 이스라엘 집의 잃어버린 양 외에는 다른 데로 보내심을 받지 아니하였노라” 자 여러분, 지금 예수님께서 제자들에게 대답을 하시는 걸까요? 아니지요. 그러면 뭘까요? 예수님께서 마치 제자들에게 대답하시는 것처럼 말씀하시지만 이 말씀은 가나안 여인 들으라고 하는 말씀이지요. 가나안 여인이 끊임없이 예수님께 도움을 요청하는데 예수님께서 그 여인에게 한 말씀도 대답하지 않으시고 심지어는 말도 섞지 않으시면서 그 여인을 지금 거절하고 계시는 것입니다. 나는 너하고 말도 섞지 않겠다. 알아서 이 얘기를 듣고 가라는 거에요. 사람 취급도 하지 않는 모욕이지요. 저는 이 부분이 너무 아파요. 제가 만약에 이 여인이었다면 저는 포기했을 것 같아요.

[3. The Silence and the Rejection]

However, despite her persistent crying out, Jesus does not answer her a word. Up until now in Matthew, Jesus’ primary motive for ministry has been "compassion." But now, He seems to completely ignore this woman who is desperately begging for that very compassion.

It was so awkward that even the disciples came and begged Him, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” Perhaps the disciples remembered Jesus’ earlier command in Matthew 10:5-6, where He told them not to go to the Gentiles but only to the "lost sheep of Israel." They might have thought, "Clearly, Jesus has no intention of helping this Gentile woman; we should just get rid of her."

Then, Jesus says something strange in verse 24: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Was He answering the disciples? No. He spoke it at the disciples, but He intended it for the woman’s ears. Jesus was refusing her by not even addressing her directly. It was a cold rejection, as if saying, "I won't even speak to you. Hear this and go away." It was an insult that denied her very humanity. If I were this woman, I think I would have given up right then.

                그런데 이 여인은 포기하지 않습니다. 자신을 무시하고 거절하고, 사람 취급하지 않는 예수님 앞에 나아와서 절을 해요. 그리고 다시 예수님을 주님이라고 부릅니다. “주여, 나를 도우소서.” 저는 도대체 이 여인이 무슨 속으로 이렇게 절을 하고 이렇게 말을 할 수 있는지 모르겠어요. 그러면 예수님께서 도와주셔야 할 것 아닙니까? 그런데 예수님께서 마지막으로 쐐기를 박으십니다. 이제는 면전에서 거절과 모욕을 동시에 하세요. 26절, “대답하여 이르시되 자녀의 떡을 취하여 개들에게 던짐이 마땅하지 아니하니라” 으아.. 도저히 견딜 수가 없습니다. 어떻게 이런 말씀을 하실 수 있을까요? 마치 벌어진 상처에 소금을 뿌리는 것 같아요. 학자들은 얘기해요 여기에 나와있는 개가 들개가 아니라 집 안에서 먹다 남은 것을 먹는 ‘작은 개들’의 뉘앙스라서 예수님께서 이 여인의 믿음을 시험하시지만 동시에 은혜의 문을 닫지는 않으셨다. 여러분 근데 지금 그게 중요한가요? 예수님께서 지금 ‘니가 개다’ 라고 말씀하고 계시는 거에요. 앞에서 ‘나는 이스라엘 사람만 챙기겠다’ 말도 섞지 않고 말씀하신 것을 이제는 대놓고 ‘이방인인 너는 개니까 난 너에게 도움 줄 것이 없다’ 라고 거절과 모욕을 같이 하시는 것입니다.

                그런데 이 여인이 그것을 인정합니다. “주여, 옳소이다.” “주여, 옳소이다. 주님께서 내가 개라고 하시면 나는 개입니다. 그러나 주님, 개들도 주인의 상에서 떨어지는 부스러기를 먹나이다.” 이 말을 잘 보십시오. 주인의 상입니다. 자녀들의 상이 아니에요. ‘내가 개라면, 나의 주인은 당신이십니다. 그러니 내게 그 부스러기라도 주옵소서.’ 여러분 이런 간절함이 어디 있습니까? 이 여인은 끝까지 예수님을 주인으로 인정하고 예수님의 긍휼하심을 믿었던 것입니다. 예수님께서 나를 개라고 하시면 나는 개입니다. 그러나 나는 주님을 끝까지 놓지 않겠습니다. 그 믿음이 이 여인에게 있었던 것입니다.

                그러자 예수님께서 말씀하십니다. “여자여 네 믿음이 크도다 네 소원대로 되리라” 여러분 마태복음에서 예수님께서 직접 믿음이 크다고 말씀하신 사람은 이 가나안 여인이 유일합니다. 오히려 제자들은 예수님께 믿음이 작은 자여, 왜 의심하느냐? 라는 말을 들었어야 했지요. 이 여인은 예수님을 긍휼하심을 의심하지 않고 끝까지 붙드는 믿음을 보여주었습니다. 그 믿음을 예수님께서는 크다고 말씀하시는 것입니다.

[4. The Humility of "Crumbs"]

But she does not give up. She comes and kneels before Jesus—the very One who ignored and rejected her—and says, “Lord, help me.” I honestly don't know how she found the strength to kneel and speak like that.

Surely, Jesus should help her now, right? But Jesus delivers the final blow. He insults and rejects her to her face. Verse 26: “And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.’” It is almost unbearable to read. How could He say such a thing? It’s like pouring salt on an open wound. Scholars argue that the word for "dogs" here refers to "little dogs" or house pets, suggesting a nuance of testing rather than a complete shut-out. But does that really matter in the moment? Jesus is essentially saying, "You are a dog." After ignoring her, He now openly tells her, "You are a Gentile dog, and I have nothing for you."

But look at her response: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Notice she says, "the masters' table." Not the children's table. She is saying, "If I am a dog, then You are my Master. Therefore, even if it is just a crumb, please give it to me." Where can you find such desperation? She acknowledged Jesus as her Master until the very end and trusted in His mercy. "If You call me a dog, I am a dog. But I will not let go of You." That was her faith.

                말씀을 맺습니다. 우리가 예수님께 나아갈 때에 때로 예수님께서 우리를 무시하시는 것 같을 때가 있습니다. 아무리 부르짖어도 대답 한마디 안하시는 것 같은 때가 있습니다. 그래서 말씀을 들으려고 하면 때로 말씀이 위로보다 상처처럼 다가올 때가 있습니다. 기도는 응답이 되지 않고 상황은 더 어려워지며, 심지어 말씀 속에서도 자리를 잃은 것처럼 느껴질 때가 있습니다. 그러나 여러분 주님의 긍휼하심을 붙드십시오. 끝까지 주님께 나아가십시오. 오늘 말씀에서 예수님께서도 이 여인을 떠나지 않으셨습니다. 예수님의 긍휼하심을 끝까지 붙드는 믿음을 가지실 때, 예수님께서 반드시 그 믿음을 알아봐 주실 것입니다. 기도하시겠습니다.

[Conclusion]

Then Jesus declared, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” In the entire Gospel of Matthew, this Canaanite woman is the only person Jesus explicitly describes as having "great faith." In contrast, the disciples often heard, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" This woman showed a faith that never doubted Jesus' mercy and held on until the end. That is the faith Jesus calls "Great."

As I conclude, there are times when we go to Jesus and it feels like He is ignoring us. No matter how much we cry out, there seems to be no answer. Sometimes, when we try to listen to the Word, it feels more like an insult or a wound than comfort. Prayers go unanswered, circumstances get worse, and we feel like there is no place for us even in the Scriptures.

But brothers and sisters, hold fast to the Lord’s mercy. Go to Him until the end. In today's passage, Jesus never actually left the woman. When you have the faith to cling to His compassion no matter what, Jesus will surely recognize that faith.

Let us pray.