Background information: Tyre and Sidon are not Jewish cities. Cannanites were non-Jewish and Israelites supposedly drove them out when they occupied the land during Joshua' time. Pagan women in a pagan region both indicated that she most likely would worship a pagan idol.
Round #1, v.22 “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is horribly demon-possessed!”
That was a surprise. She recognized that Jesus is the Son of David (the Savior-King). She most like heard about Jesus and knew the Old Testament. In other words, she turned away from her idol worship.
However, both Jesus and the disciples wanted to send her away. Why? 15:24 So he answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
God has His own time table. In the OT the Savior-king was promised to come to establish the kingdom in Israel. Then it will become a place to attract other people to worship God (Isaiah 2:2 42:6; 49:6–7).
God has His own time table. In the OT the Savior-king was promised to come to establish the kingdom in Israel. Then it will become a place to attract other people to worship God (Isaiah 2:2 42:6; 49:6–7).
Round #2, that Canaanite woman did not argue with Jesus regarding His plan.
15:25 But she came and bowed down before him and said, “Lord, help me!”
Her posture indicate that she fulled aware Who Jesus is. She worshiped him. Jesus refused her the second time.
Her posture indicate that she fulled aware Who Jesus is. She worshiped him. Jesus refused her the second time.
“It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” he said.
NET, "The term dogs does not refer to wild dogs (scavenging animals roaming around the countryside) in this context, but to small dogs taken in as house pets. It is thus not a derogatory term per se, but is instead intended by Jesus to indicate the privileged position of the Jews (especially his disciples) as the initial recipients of Jesus’ ministry. The woman’s response of faith and her willingness to accept whatever Jesus would offer pleased him to such an extent that he granted her request."
NET, "The term dogs does not refer to wild dogs (scavenging animals roaming around the countryside) in this context, but to small dogs taken in as house pets. It is thus not a derogatory term per se, but is instead intended by Jesus to indicate the privileged position of the Jews (especially his disciples) as the initial recipients of Jesus’ ministry. The woman’s response of faith and her willingness to accept whatever Jesus would offer pleased him to such an extent that he granted her request."
There was a round #3, but we skipped and see the final result-Jesus said
v.28, “Woman, your faith is great! Let what you want be done for you.” Her daughter was healed.
Where can we see her great faith? Persistence? Of course, she was refused twice and she still asked the 3rd time. But I believe it is more than persistence.
In round #3, she answered Jesus' refusal and said,
v.27, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
She fully acknowledged the plan of Jesus and accepted the fact that she was not Jesus' priority at that time. Note, the term Jesus used to describe the Jews, "the lost sheep," and the "the children." They were the primary focus in Jesus' heart. The woman caught that and she plead for only the "crumbs that fall from their master's table." She only asked for the fringe benefits. "You dont need to intentionally give me food, but because You are the might God, then whatever fell off unintentionally from your table is good enough for me. This is faith.
In 8:13 Matthew has already told us that the Gentile Centurion has great faith. Now this is another example of a faithful Gentile. Why repeating? In the beginning of this passage said,
15:21 After going out from there, Jesus went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
In V.20, Jesus was debating with the Pharisee about hand washing. They put their tradition above God's Law and Jesus called them the hypocrites. In contrast, this Gentile woman read God's words and believed that.
Reflection: Are we like the Pharisees who appeared to follow God but is not? Or we like the Gentile woman who has believed in His Words and has faith in Jesus?
Audrey
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