Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 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.” 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.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

The Canaanites are a people who opposed the Jews and were, at times, cruel to them. The books of Joel and Obadiah reference these.

Jesus was dealing with a woman who was not a Jew or a half-Jew, but a foreigner. He first deferred to the big picture mission that God had given him: preach the truth to the lost sheep of Israel.

Jesus came to the Jews. However, he responds to something in this woman that is compelling: her humility and faith! She lowered herself to a dog-like status to beg Jesus to heal her daughter. This shows a strong faith in his ability. Jesus finds her persistent faith compelling and honors her efforts for her daughter by healing her.

How can I grow the persistence of my faith and also be willing to be completely humble in how I ask God for things?

Lord, thank you for your recognition of this woman’s strong faith. Women were not always treated well back then. But you show here not only that you value them highly, but their faith can be so strong!