A feisty faith
by Stuart Gray
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Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment (Matthew 15:28).
The elements of this story are simple. A woman seeks healing for her daughter from ‘The Healer’. However, her encounter with Jesus is quite profound. A Canaanite – historic enemy of Israel – and a woman, possibly without a husband, so an outsider even in her own country.
Yet this woman recognises Jesus as ‘Lord, Son of David’. She pleads for mercy and, much to the disciples’ annoyance, persists.
Jesus’ initial reaction and conversation seem harsh. Firstly, he ignores her, which I’m sure is not a technique recommended by modern counsellors dealing with a distressed person. But the silence demonstrates how persistent the woman is and points to the strength of her faith.
Jesus then emphasises her ‘outsideness’. ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ This does not stop her. She ignores what Jesus has said but takes advantage of the fact that he is talking to her. ‘Lord, help me.’ A simple and humble plea for help.
But Jesus has not finished testing her faith. ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ Imagine the outrage that public statement would cause today! Social media would be white hot.
Again, this does not deter the woman, and her response is amazing. ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ That response would take me a day or two to formulate.
In her response, the woman recognises Jesus’ purpose for the lost people of Israel. She trusts that he has mercy enough for those beyond Israel.
This is a story of powerful spirituality. The woman acknowledges her need, refuses to give up, trusts Jesus’ mercy and approaches him with humility.
Jesus meets us in our individual situations, in the down-and-dirty harshness of life.
I wonder what the disciples learnt from this encounter. The Canaanite woman foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s kingdom. Yet even after the resurrection, some of the disciples struggled to understand that Jesus died for all people and nations.
Do we persist in prayer like the Canaanite woman?
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the examples of faith you have given us in Scripture. Help us to acknowledge our needs, be humble, trust in your mercy and be persistent in prayer. Thank you for accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross so that all people and nations can have a personal relationship with you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.
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