Scripture

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her,“your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Observation

A gentile woman comes to Jesus, begging him to heal her demon possessed daughter. Jesus gives her no reply, and the disciples urge Jesus to send her away.

Jesus tells her that He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel and that it’s not right to take the children’s food to feed the dogs.

The woman replies that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.

Jesus is impressed by her faith and declares that her daughter is healed.

Application

Jesus has a way of drawing faith from people. Here, He seems to be ignoring the woman and then, when He does speak to her, it seems that He is pushing her away.

But what He is really doing is causing her to press in more and to express that seed of faith more determinedly.

In the end, Jesus heals the girl, but tell her that her faith is great.

Unlike the disciples who have little faith, or faith as small as a mustard seed, this gentile woman has great faith.

While it is impossible for us to measure faith, God obviously can. We can have a little faith, a measure of faith, great faith.

The issue is this: how much can I trust God for? Am I willing to yield my family, my job, my house, my possessions over to God and trust Him for the result?

Prayer

Lord, I believe you. I trust you. Please help me to grow to great faith. Amen