The Canaanite Mother

Jesus needed a break from dealing with the religious leaders, so He and his disciples traveled to the region of Tyre and Sidon. But almost as soon as they got there, a Canaanite woman came to them, begging for Jesus to heal her demon possessed daughter.

The woman yelled out to Jesus, calling Him Lord, Son of David, and begging Him to heal her daughter. Instead of acknowledging her, though, he ignored her. 

Jesus’s disciples tried to get Him to send her away because she was annoying them. Instead, Jesus told the woman He was sent to serve the lost sheep of Israel, not Gentiles.

Undaunted, she drew closer, falling to His feet, worshipping Him, begging, “Lord, Help me.”

He told her, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” (Matthew 15:26)

Again, not discouraged, she countered.

“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” (v. 27)

Her response pleased Jesus.

“O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” (v. 28)

And from that moment, her daughter was healed.

What an audacious amount of courage it must have taken this woman to reach out to Jesus. There was literally no reason for her to believe He would honor her request. She was a Gentile, a Canaanite, and a woman.

And yet, this woman was above all, a mother. And this mother’s pride and joy was suffering. She was willing to do whatever it took to get the help her daughter needed.

May we have that kind of audacious faith.

Read about the Canaanite Mother: Matthew 18:21-28, Mark 7:24-30

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