“He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment” (Mark 7:26-28).
This woman was a Gentile, not a citizen of Israel. When she boldly came to Jesus on her daughter’s behalf Jesus met her first with silence. Then he pointed out that His current mission was to reach the Jews and she was not Jewish.
Her humility is amazing. She doesn’t allow her feelings to get hurt. She doesn’t get angry and walk away in frustration. She doesn’t say, “That’s not fair.” Instead she says, in effect, I may not be a child, I may only be one of the pet dogs, but I am part of the household. I’ll settle for what falls from the table.
What is striking about this woman’s response is that she reaches past what Jesus said and laid hold of His nature. She knows to whom she is talking, and is confident that even though He understands the mission He is on He will still put things right.
How did Jesus view her response? He rewarded her with a miracle. Only two individuals in the Gospels received Jesus’ commendation of great faith. Both were Gentiles and one was this woman. Great faith is our ability to reach out to who Jesus is. He is good, He is faithful, He loves us and we can depend on Him just as this woman did.
