Faith of the Canaanite Woman
Scripture
Matthew 15:21-28
Mark 7:24-30
Commentary
A Canaanite woman seeks out Jesus because her
daughter is demon possessed. The woman is insistent that
Jesus help her and the disciples urge Him to send her away.
Jesus' response that He was sent for the lost
sheep of Israel is both true and a test. Jesus' ministry
was to the Israelites. It wouldn't be until Peter visits
Cornelius' house that the gospel is opened to the Gentiles.
Nevertheless, Jesus does encounter some non-Israelites.
The test is to see how much the woman believed
in Jesus and if she would be persistent in her belief even when
Jesus tried to discourage her. Jesus does not call the
woman a dog but rather reflects the attitude that Jews have
toward the Gentiles. The Canaanite woman knows what the
Jews think of her but continues to plead on the basis that even
dogs are given leftover scraps. She is not asking for much
of Jesus, only a small request. Jesus heals the woman's
daughter on the basis of her faith and persistence.
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