Matthew 15:21-28, The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Comments

Jesus entered Gentile territory on the Mediterranean Sea where he encountered a “Canaanite” woman, the only use in New Testament of this terms and a reminder of the Old Testament people who opposed the people of God. What has she heard about Jesus that she would call him “Son of David,” a messianic term? Jesus’ mission, however, was restricted to Israel, explaining his unwelcoming response. At that time, Jews called Gentiles dogs. Jesus expressed this contemptuous attitude to Gentiles to explain the limit of his mission.

What we do not know, however, is the tone in Jesus’ voice or the look on his face. The point is serious, but that does not mean Jesus says this with a humorless rudeness. Her statement, that acknowledges Jesus’ mission to Israel, recognizes that others should share in the blessings of Israel. If she is only a dog, then at least let her have the rations of a dog! Her response is witty and accepted by Jesus. She foreshadows the coming faith of the true Israel to come that transforms nations and cultures.

Below is a Book of Common prayer inspired by this encounter:

Prayer

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful

Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold

and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather

up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord

whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore,

gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ,

and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him,

and he in us. Amen.