What Do You Do When Jesus Says No?

Sermon Notes from February 1, 2026; Rev. John Cureton

22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” Matthew 15:22–23 (NKJV)

Supporting scripture from Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 10:5-6, John 11:2-6, 2 Corinthians 6:2–3.

While this passage is recorded both in the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, we find that their focus may be guided by the way that the woman of great faith is introduced. Mark introduces her as a gentile woman who was "Syrophoenician by birth," whereas Matthew identifies her specifically as a "Canaanite woman".

Mark’s description directs our attention to the geographic region and physical location of the journey, noting that Jesus was moving into Grecian territories and crossing borders into gentile cultures. Matthew’s description emphasizes her spiritual and ancestral background. By calling her a Canaanite, Matthew is telling us that she was from a land viewed as pagan and heathen, inhabited by people with whom Israel had historical conflict.

In either case, it presented an unusual encounter between ‘Church folks’ and ‘worldly culture’. It showed the disciples untrained to respond, and Jesus unmoved to action.

So, what do you do when Jesus says no? What can we learn from the Canaanite woman of great faith?

Great Faith is Persistent: She was persistent. She refused to be deterred by the significant obstacles placed in her path.

• The Disciples' Rejection: Bothered by her cries, the disciples urged Jesus, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." They were not trained for gentile ministry; "they had no answer for her."

• Jesus' Initial Silence: When she first approached Jesus and pleaded her case, the scripture notes, "But He answered her not a word." Her desperate cry was met with complete silence.

• Jesus' Direct "No": After her initial plea, Jesus finally spoke, but it was to deny her request. He told her, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Despite this, the woman did not leave. She pressed into Jesus' presence "not because of her own holiness or her right standing but because of the persistence of her faith." Her refusal to give up earned her an audience with Jesus, but it was what she did next—in the face of direct denial—that transformed her plea.

Great Faith Involves Worship: After Jesus says no, the woman's immediate response was not to argue, debate, or walk away. Instead, she drew nearer and humbled herself. The scripture describes her next action: "Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!'"

Worship is not simply music or song, but it is as a sincere posture of the heart.

"Worship is our heart recognizing the authority of Jesus and surrendering before our creator."

She demonstrated this through her physical actions: she moved from standing and crying out to kneeling before Jesus, changing her entire posture to one of humble surrender. This act of acknowledging His full authority even after being told "no" is key to the essence of true worship. She is not demanding, she is humble, and then she asked again.

Great Faith is Informed: The Canaanite woman's persistence and worship were not blind or desperate; they were founded on the testimony she had heard regarding Jesus Christ. She knew who Jesus was and heard testimony of His power.

People who leave Jesus when they hear "no" often do so because "they do not yet know who He is."

This woman, however, knew. Her knowledge of Jesus's power to heal, save and deliver gave her the confidence to persist even when Jesus tested her faith further, saying, "It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs."

She replied, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table." We can learn from this moment: "she has figured it out by Jesus’ response, that even if she’s not one of the master’s children, that she is still in the master’s house." She understood that her position in the house gave her access to the blessings within it. Her informed faith allowed her to view Jesus’s denial not as a final rejection, but as a clarification of her position—from which she could still make a request for the miracle she needed.

Faith That Moves Jesus: The story of the Canaanite woman provides a powerful model for us regarding "great faith." By examining her actions in the face of denial, we can learn how to gain faith that endures rejection.

• Great Faith is Persistent

• Great Faith Postures itself towards Worship

• Great Faith is Informed – it knows the testimony regarding Jesus and His authority

• Great Faith Draws a Response from Jesus

Maybe you are in need of a miracle? Remember the great faith of the Canaanite woman.

Even if you’ve fallen short, you’re still in the master’s house. You have heard the witness of what Jesus has done for others. You know that there were many who had the same issue you have now and they were delivered from it. Hang in there, move beyond the rejection of the disciples, change your posture from debate to worship, and wait for an encounter at the feet of Jesus.

“Jesus, I thank you for the words of eternal life. You have authority over my life. You came back for me when I was not in right standing with you. I need you for a miracle that no one else can supply. I know that I have come to the right place and that your testimony is true. I love you and praise you! In your Holy name I pray, amen.”

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