21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
23 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.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”
28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Never underestimate the power of humble persistent prayer by those who approach in faith. This Canaanite woman’s actions clearly demonstrate to us the faithful and continuous seeking of the Master until obtaining the joy for which our soul longs for (which is to be smack dab in the center of God’s will btw). Fervent prayer avails much. James tells us:
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)
Addressing the Lord Jesus with a Messianic title, she begs for mercy for her demonically possessed daughter. Boldly, without pleading any merit in herself, she cries out to Christ as one deeply serious in her petition. The devil had her daughter in dire and dreadful straights and she comes humbly and persistently seeking the Master’s mercy for her child’s relief.
She first meets with our Lord’s silence – He answers her not a Word. When the answers of prayer are deferred, God is teaching us to pray all the more. The more we feel the burden the more we should resolutely pray for its removal. Evidently, she faithfully remains undeterred in her request by His silence as our Lord’s guys encourage Him to simply get rid of her - send her away for her continuous crying out to Him. They were more concerned with their own comfort ready to silence her troublesome constant pleas rather than considering this poor woman’s difficult circumstances. Thankfully, our Lord never turns any away who willingly seek Him. I am reminded of the Prophet Jeremiah’s words:
12 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jer 29:12-14 (NIV)
Next, Jesus responds to His disciples – yet within the Canaanite woman’s hearing - that His mission at that time was to the lost sheep of Israel. While the sun and rain and fruitful seasons were and are given to all nations – even those permitted to walk in their own ways - there were special favors allowed for His distinctive people, the Israelites. Now, however, praise Jesus, there remains no distinction for those who believe as He gave His life as a ransom for many. Paul states in Colossians:
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Col 3:11 (NIV)
Our protagonist breaks through this discouragement and kneels before Jesus yet again requesting His helping hand. His response this time is not what we are used to hearing from His kind lips - “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.” All who approach Christ must first realize their standing (or lack of it) before Him. The reality remains - if He were to present Himself to us in all His glory, no flesh could raise their face from the ground. Again, this woman argues not against the Truth of His statement of her standing rather considers that while she is not a child around his table of great grace and blessings she is His dog under it and even His dog is treated with kindness and mercy. Any crumbs falling from our Lord’s precious bread will sustain.
“Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” D. T. Niles
In her humility, she was glad to receive the “crumbs”. Nothing is gained by contradicting any Word from Christ – Who is Truth – even if His Word seems harsh to our hearing. Wounds from a friend can be trusted the Proverb tells us. A living and active faith will turn what appears to be against us, for us.
“The one sole thing in myself in which I glory, is that I see in myself nothing in which I can glory.” Catherine of Genoa
Amazed at her great faith, the Lord Jesus commends her and further, grants her request. The writer of Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God and that He rewards those humbly and earnestly seeking Him:
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb 11:6 (NIV)
“It was her faith that he commended. Several other graces shone brightly in her conduct here – wisdom, humility, meekness, patience, perseverance in prayer – but these were the results of her faith. Because faith, of all graces, honors Christ the most, he honors faith more than any other grace.” Matthew Henry