Persistence

Matthew 15:21 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.

 

In my daily readings today this passage was part.  I am truly amazed by this woman's faith and persistence.  

 

Jesus now goes into a Non-Jewish region.  A Non-Jewish woman has heard about Him and wants Jesus to heal her daughter.  She cries out but with no response.  This lady does not give up.  The disciples are getting frustrated with her as she is disrupting their journey.  They come to Jesus and ask Him to dismiss this lady.  Jesus' response is curious at best.  But the woman still does not give up. 

 

Somehow she gets passed all the disciples and kneels at the feet of Jesus.  He again answers her curiously.   she is not satisfied with the answer.  Blessings are tied to the house of Israel is basically what Jesus is telling her.  but again she doesn't stop. 

 

she says even crumbs fall off the table and the dogs eat them.  Paraphrase, even the Gentiles are blessed by god's relationship to Israel.  this goes back to the promise god gave Abraham in Genesis 12. 

 

Jesus finally grants her request noting that her faith was very great. 

 

I find three characteristics in this woman that we could all use more of in our lives:  determination, persistence and faith. 

 

She has a need and has heard that Jesus has met those needs before.  She is fully determined to get to Him and will not let anything stand in her way. 

 

when people do get in her way, she is persistent.  this lady will not take "no" for an answer. 

 

Finally, her faith amazes me.  Her statement "even the dogs get crumbs" is filled with faith that she has in the fact that Jesus can heal. 

 

Determination , knowing that Jesus is the answer.  persistence, not easily detoured when obstacles come in our way.  Faith, believing that Jesus will come and save.  We can learn a lot from this lady.