“Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 15: 21-28)

In our article last week, we learnt of the faith of “a woman of Canaan” when she addressed Jesus by His Messianic title: “O Lord, thou Son of David” (Matt 15: 22b). Though she was a Gentile, she saluted Him as Israel’s promised Messiah. With humility, she pleaded for His help to deliver her demon-possessed daughter: “Have mercy on me”. In his parallel account, the evangelist Mark tells us that she “came and fell at his feet” (Mk 7: 25).

The woman’s sore trial had brought her to Christ, and taught her to pray earnestly. We note that the Lord ignored her plea: “But he answered her not a word” (Matt 15: 23a). Despite the Lord’s silence, the woman was not deterred. She continued following Him and pleading for His help. Her persistent cries irritated the disciples who asked that the Lord “send her away; for she crieth after us” (v 23b). Rather than encourage inquirers after Christ, these disciples were too ready to shoo them away. To them, the “woman of Canaan” – was unworthy of their Master’s help or attention.

Let us learn from the negative attitude of the disciples. May we seek to have more of the mind of our Saviour. Like Him, let us be kind and gentle especially to the needy. J C Ryle aptly comments: “Christ’s people are often less gracious and compassionate than Christ Himself. … Let us assure them that there is far more in the gracious Master, than there is in the best of His servants. Peter and James, and John may say to the afflicted soul, ‘Send her away.’ But such a word never came from the lips of Christ. He may sometimes keep us long waiting, as He did this woman. But He will never send us empty away.”

We see the woman’s faith as she persisted in her pleas to the Lord. When Jesus finally answered her, His reply was harsh and discouraging: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Jesus’ ministry was to the Jews. He first came to them as their Messiah. Undaunted by His callous words, the woman bowed down and worshipped Him and continued with her importunate cries: “Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me” (v 25).

Jesus’ second reply was even more severe: “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” His answer seemed to cut off all her hope. God’s blessings were for the Jews, not Gentiles. The Jews were God’s children. But the Gentiles were “dogs”. The term “dogs” refers to “household dogs” or family pets. But it was a strong, humiliating statement. Humbly, the woman accepted the Lord’s pronouncement, while continuing to plead for mercy: “And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” She agreed that God’s blessings were for the children of Israel. As a Gentile, she was not worthy of them. However, she was willing to take a dog’s place. All she asked for were some “crumbs” of mercy – “a single exertion of Thy Almighty power, in the healing of my afflicted daughter” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible).

“Observe, how her humility grants all, her patience overcomes all, she meekly desires to possess the dog’s place; not to crowd to the table, but to creep under it, and to partake of the crumbs of mercy that fall from thence. Indeed she shewed one of the best qualities of a dog, in keeping her hold where she had once fastened; not letting go, or giving over, until she had gotten what she desired. Learn hence, that nothing is so pleasing unto Christ, as to see His people following Him with faith and importunity, when He seems to withdraw from them” (William Burkitt’s Expository Notes).

The woman was rewarded for her importunity. Jesus commended her for her faith and healed her daughter: “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (v 28). Going home, she found her daughter completely healed: “And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed” (Mk 7: 30).

Let us follow the fine example of this woman of faith and humility. Though she encountered obstacles – the Lord’s silence, the disciples’ negative attitude and Christ’s harsh responses – she persevered in prayer. Conscious of her own unworthiness as a Gentile, she responded humbly. The Lord rewarded her faith by healing her demon-possessed daughter.

Brethren, are we praying for some loved one? Are we seeking the Lord’s will in a certain matter? Are we facing some hardship or trial? Like the woman of Canaan, let us be importunate in prayer. Wait upon the Lord. He hears us, and will give us an answer in His own good time.

– Pastor