Great Faith

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Matt 15:21-28  (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” 26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. (Matthew 15:21–28 NLT)

Jesus and his disciples traveled north out of Galilee to the seacoast region of Tyre and Sidon. While they were having lunch at a roadside restaurant near the sea, a Gentile woman came up to Jesus with an emotional plea for healing and deliverance for her daughter. He ignored her. She persisted. Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to send her away because she was bothering them. Jesus dismissively told her the Jews were his priority. She knelt at his feet and pleaded again for help for her daughter. Jesus made what seems to me like a very offensive remark about food and children and dogs. She refused to be offended and said, “I, a dog, will be grateful to have even a scrap the children drop on the floor!” Jesus said, “Dear woman, your faith is great!” Her daughter was instantly healed!

Three things in this story make me want to be like this Gentile woman:

  • She loved her daughter so much that she was willing to make an absolute nuisance of herself to get help for her. Her love made her bold!
  • She was so determined to get help for her daughter that she absolutely would not take no for an answer! Her love made her relentless!
  • She refused to be offended because her love for her daughter and her faith in what Jesus could do were very strong! Her love made her unoffendable!

Prayer:

Father, I want to be more like this woman! I’m often so easily distracted from the main thing! I’m often so easily discouraged when I don’t get what I want right away! I’m often so easily offended! Please change my heart. I want to get better! Amen.