Demons and Dogs and Faith
Matthew 15:21-28
March 1, 2026 anno Domini
Are there still demons? Last week the Devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. This week a woman comes to Jesus dragging her daughter by her prayers. “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
Are there still demons? For the baptized Christian the answer is yes. God says so in His Word. You can read all about their work wherever you get your news. Kidnappings and shootings. Russia against Ukraine. Terrorists with nuclear weapons. Boys wanting to be girls so they can win at sports. Children living in the alternate realities of their screens. Accidents on slippery roads that take lives no matter what age.
Are there demons? Look at the church. See how divided it is. See how much false doctrine is taught. How weak we are on living godly and decent lives. How the church is looking more and more like the world.
But perhaps the greater evidence is to look in the mirror. How is it that even while you are sitting in the Lord’s house some horrible thought comes into your mind? Something you would never say or act upon about that person, that fellow baptized Christian right over there ? How is that you say the worst things to the person you love the most? That your sins do the most damage to those closest to you?
The Devil and his demons are busy and active, perhaps even more so now that their end is near. Jesus is raised from the dead and He’s coming soon to judge the world. In that final judgment the Devil and his demons will be cast into hell and locked away forever. So they’re working overtime before they endure an eternal firing.
That may be the very same reason they were so active in the New Testament. The Son of God was visibly on the ground, taking the battle to them. It wouldn’t do to hide away while their Enemy from above was walking around in plain sight. So, they took hold of this girl, this woman’s daughter, severely oppressing her, as if there was any other kind of demonic oppression.
If the reality of demons puzzle us the words of Jesus disgust us. Is it okay to call a woman a dog? Well, only if you’re Jesus. Jesus would have failed evangelism 101 at the seminary. He’s not very winsome with this woman. First, He doesn’t even speak to her. Second, He says He didn’t come for her. Then, just in case anyone was wondering what He really meant He called her a dog.
Now to be fair, the word here likely refers to a little dog, a dog that might find its way into the house. Perhaps a miniature dachshund, a little puppy you could hold in your hands. But a dog is a dog – it returns to its own vomit, sniffs poop, and rolls in the most disgusting things it finds on walks.
And who knows — maybe that’s how this woman’s daughter became demon possessed. She was after all a Canaanite woman, and the gods of the Canaanites were disgustingly dirty and demonic. Maybe the mother’s own actions led to her daughter’s demonic possession. She fooled around with the demonic deities and her religion paid off – she worshipped evil and evil took up residence in her house, in her own flesh and blood.
Maybe Jesus is calling her what she is. And that’s good, because the Devil lies. He doesn’t call a thing what it is. He calls boys girls and girls boys, or pornography entertainment, or gossip truth, or drunkenness relaxation, or greed thrift. What do you call your favorite sins? Jesus isn’t as nice as you are. He’ll call your sin what it is and call you what you are.
Take Jesus at His Word. His Word is truth. That’s what we learn from this Canaanite woman. She was driven to Jesus because everything else was a lie – the gods of the Canaanites didn’t deliver. But Jesus delivered. She had heard about Jesus, the news of His miracles, of His amazing teaching, of His authority over demons had made it all the way to Tyre and Sidon.
Then even better news reached her ears. Jesus had ventured out of Galilee and He had come up north, to the land of rocks and cows, to Tyre and Sidon. And like Jacob of Old Testament fame, once she gets hold of Jesus, she won’t let Him go until He blesses her.
But this Jesus she meets is a troubling Jesus. To our ears she comes as the perfect penitent sinner. She has heard the Word of Jesus and believes. She prays for her daughter and herself. She is patient with Jesus. She has hope in Him alone and she perseveres – nothing will turn her away.
Jesus merciful response should have been immediate and complete – He had done far more for far less worthy people. But you’re not Jesus and I’m not Jesus. He knows her heart. He sees her faith. And He knows exactly what she needs and He gives it to her – in His silence, His rejection, and His Word, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
She takes Jesus at His Word – “Yes, Lord” I’m that little dog. I’ve rolled in all sorts of dead and disgusting garbage and my daughter suffered because of it. I’ve made a stinking mess of myself. But I’ve found my way into the house. I’m under the table and you are my Lord and Master. You are the Son of David. Have mercy on my daughter. Help me. Throw me a crumb.
Faith takes Jesus at His Word and that is why faith saves. Faith trusts what Jesus says and what Jesus does, even if you don’t like it, even if it is not what you want to hear, because as we hear every Sunday and as we’ll see on Easter, Jesus works. He casts out demons. He forgives sinners. He gives delicious crumbs of life to dirty little dogs like you. He died for the sin of the world and rose again three days later – that’s what faith believes and that’s why we take Him at His Word.
Last Sunday, someone asked me what the Words on the Altar paraments mean. They are Greek words. Kyrie means Lord. And Eleison means mercy. The Canaanite woman uses both of those words when she comes to Jesus. She says, Eleison me, Kyrie – have mercy on me, O Lord.
How fitting that as you come to your Master’s Table this morning those words on the table cloth. Kyrie Eleison – Lord, have mercy on me, a dog. I’ve returned to my own vomit. I’ve rolled again and again in the same stinking sins. Lord, help me.
And Jesus does. “O woman great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And so Jesus does for you – to your faith under that crumb of a wafer and that sip of wine, He gives His body and blood, a feast of forgiveness more bountiful than your sins, His righteous life, cleansing, sanctifying, covering, and clothing your life. Take Jesus at His Word. Your faith will be satisfied. The demons will flee. And you’ll feast at His table. In the name of Jesus. Amen.