Matthew 15:21–28 (ESV)
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O
Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He
answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is
not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then
Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
What is going on in this
story? Well… Jesus begins his ministry by focusing on the Jews, that is… the lost children of Israel. Later on, the Jews will reject Jesus and Jesus turns to the Gentiles. Today’s story, you have a Gentile woman who is
coming to Jesus while he is still focused on the Jews. He was first sent to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Now the dog business… this represents the gentiles. The lady is not wanting to take anything away from
the Jews blessings, she simply was a portion of what has fallen from the table. They still get theirs, all she wants is some crumbs (blessings) that the Jews don’t want. Jesus commends the lady, “O woman, great is your faith!”
He then heals her daughter.
I pray: O Lord, I give thanks for your love and blessings for all people. Help me to not reject your blessings, but to
embrace and rejoice in them. Amen.