What Does Great Faith Look Like

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Today Jesus is met by a Caananite woman.  The Canaanites were Gentiles who were known for worshipping many other gods.  I counted over 25.  Basically the more gods they worshipped the better chance they thought they had there gods would here and protect them.  The Jewish people abhorred the Canaanites because of these practices.  When Jesus meets the Canaanite women, she begs him to have mercy on her and heal her demon possessed daughter.  She calls him, 'The Lord Son of David", which is curious because this title was a Messianic name for Jesus.  The Jews knew the Messiah would be from the house and line of David, but here the Canaanite woman publicly recognizes Jesus by this name.   

His disciples were annoyed by her and ask Jesus to send her away.  Even Jesus seems only distracted by her when he says, "I was sent only the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman persists asking Jesus to help her.  Jesus again seems reluctant and says, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs."  Remember dogs in those days were not household pets, but dirty animals who roamed the streets looking for food.  In some cases dogs had masters and this is the context where the woman says, "Even a dog gets the master's crumbs every once awhile".  Now Jesus recognizes the woman's great faith and tells her at the moment her daughter was delivered from these demons.  This is a great story which teaches what great faith looks like from Jesus' perspective. 

• Faith is something that ALL people can exercise.  People from all ethnicities, ages, and gender have the opportunity to show faith.  Though Jesus' mission was first to go to his fellow Jews, throughout the gospels and into the early church the Gentiles are much more open to faith in Jesus than his own people seem to be.
• Faith recognizes Jesus for who he is.  Notice the initiative the woman takes in exercising her faith.  She overcomes the stereotypes of her own people. She recognizes Jesus for who he is and realizes his authority can heal her daughter. 
• Faith is persistent. Even though she is rebuked by Jesus' disciples and even seemingly somewhat ignored by Jesus she persists.  Sometimes it is easy to give up on faith when we don't see instant results.  

Where is God calling you to exercise faith in your life? Maybe you are not seeing the results of your faith or prayers. Maybe you fear God may not be listening or paying attention to you.  Let's learn from the Canaanite woman today who didn't give up but kept asking Jesus for what she needed.  When we don't get what we want right away it tests our faith.  Either we can move closer to him like the woman, or give up.  The author of Hebrews says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God."