May 11, 2025

The disciples were anxious for Jesus to send this mother away because she kept on crying out after them.  But any mother would surely do the same on behalf of her daughter.  Great faith declares who Jesus is.  This Canaanite woman truly believed that Jesus was the Messiah.  Her names for Jesus indicate that she had accepted that He was "Lord" and "Son of David." Great faith also perseveres.  Jesus seemed to be putting her off at first, but in the end He was strengthening her faith as well as providing a lesson for His disciples. She kept on making her request for help until finally Jesus said, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."  But this desperate mother said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fgall from their master's table."  And at once Jesus declared, "Woman, you have great faith.  Your request is granted."  Complete healing at once for her daughter!  And the disciples learned that even Gentiles would be accepted into the Father's kingdom on the same basis as Jews.