A Greek Woman's Great Faith in Jesus Christ
Jesus Will Help Anyone Who Has Great Faith
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” Matthew 10:5-6.
Later, however as Jesus was passing through “Tyre” and “Sidon”, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea a Gentile woman approached him in a very unorthodox manner, acting like she was Jewish,Mark 7:26.
Do you know how some Black American males distinctively greet each other? You cannot miss it, the “Homie”, hand slapping, certain fingers touching, other twirling into a tapestry of finger-works, the right shoulder leaning forward touching ”Homie’s” left one. This is distinctively a Negro thing. This is definitely an auspicious Black American way of greeting. This mode of expression is born from a certain culture and interactions. Now imagine, if you can, a white American male greeting another white person like this. How odd would that be! This greeting of this Gentile woman of Jesus Christ was similar to our hypothetical greeting scenario above.
This Syrophenician woman addressed Jesus, a Jew, as “Son of David”, so he ignored her,Matthew 15:23. A Jewish person legally, can address Jesus as “Son of David” because they are of the same stock, linage, he’s calling to his family.
However, a mom who has a sick child at home will not rest until her daughter is well. So she persisted but changed her approach, this time she said,”Lord, help me,” Matthew 15:25. Jesus is Lord for all who believe he is, for all who believe in him. And he will assist anyone who has great faith in him.
Jesus Rewards a Greek Woman For Her Great Faith in Him
Many times, I have heard, Ministers of the Word say Jesus called this Greek woman a dog. I had a very hard time accepting that because Jesus Christ is into building a person’s character not debasing and demeaning him. But I was not able to explain what Jesus meant by : “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs,” Matthew 15:26. This Scripture does not say she is a dog nor compares her to one. Anyone who sees that in this verse of Scripture is not listening to the Spirit of this Word. Here, Christ was using a figure of speech this woman understood, to communicate to her an important spiritual principle. She was perceptive and understood Christ’s lesson but many preachers don’t, and for her great faith in Jesus she was rewarded.
In essence, Jesus told her, it is not appropriate to give the food intended for the children to dogs. First, feed the children then feed the dogs. This is a general statement. This is like saying, would you, under ordinary circumstances, withdraw your savings from the bank and keep it under your mattress? And moreover this conversation between Jesus and this woman has no connection to food.
Put plainly, Jesus told her he could not cast out the devil from her daughter because he was sent to the Jews and it was not her (the Gentile’s) time. He could not give to her what is not legally hers!!
According to Mark 7:27, Jesus said: “let the children first be filled.”
Greek Woman’s Great Faith in Jesus Moved Him to Grant Her Request
Recall, Jesus instructed his disciples not to bless the Gentile nor to go to them but go to the Jews. Jesus reminded this Greek woman he too was sent to the Jews. This is apparent when he said, I am not sent but unto ”the lost sheep of the house of Israel,Matthew 15:24. So legally, all his blessing and favours are first for them.
Finally, this mother understood Jesus’ use of this object lesson. Listen to her response: “and she said Truth, Lord : yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table,” Matthew 15:27. This woman extended Jesus object lesson to show how dogs could legally receive food from their masters EVEN when it is not their time to eat. Her daughter needs help NOW. She cannot wait until Jesus blesses all Israel then turn to the Gentiles. A dog will satisfy with whatever falls from the table until his turn for a full meal.
There is a time for the “children” to eat then there is a time for the dogs too. So “let the children first be filled” then the dogs will be fed. This way everyone will receive his legal apportionment.
By this saying this Greek woman revealed she was humble before God because she does not want to eat with the children nor does she want a full meal. She also believed in Jesus Christ. It was her great faith in him which moved Jesus to grant her request, for he said “o woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Matthew 15:28.
In closing, by her great faith Jesus legally gave to the Greek woman what was originally for the Jews. “Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith,” Romans 3:29-30.
Further Reading(s):
Great Faith
A Faith that Won’t Quit
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