GREAT FAITH
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request has been granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28 (NIV)
Have you been told you have great faith? Or that you are a woman of faith? Or, that one wishes he/she had faith like you? These are humbling words to hear, because, if you are like me, you want to just live out your faith for Jesus, not wanting anyone to be watching you. But, as we know, people are watching us. All the time.
Just like Jesus noticing this Canaanite woman and her faith.
She had sought Jesus when He was in the Tyre and Sidon region. He had gone to ‘withdraw” as is noted in my NIV Bible. Solitude and quiet, away from the crowd. But as Jesus is Sovereign, He went to this region for this woman. He went to encourage her in her faith, to acknowledge its greatness, and to heal her daughter.
Such an incredible Saviour.
This woman was a Gentile and as Jesus told her, He came to the Jews, not the Gentiles: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24 NIV)
It was as if Jesus were here and He only came to talk to the people in the church. Only those in the church could see Him, hear Him and learn under His teaching. What about all those waiting outside, wanting to get in?
But Jesus is beyond our understanding and gives us everything we need. Even those outside the church, outside Jerusalem. He is the Saviour of the world (John 3:16).
The interchange between Jesus and this distraught mother is quite interesting. She was engaging Jesus in a wordplay of sorts. Who thinks about dogs eating crumbs under a table when the Son of God is in her midst? She did.
She was bold. She was accurate. She was honest. She was a mother. She was desperate.
And Jesus met her exactly there. He met her in her steady gaze – not in a challenge but with love and acceptance. He did not push her away (as He was wont to do with the chief priests, elders, and Pharisees). He drew her in. He had a conversation just for her ears. And it was one of acknowledgment, acceptance, and assurance.
A Gentile woman being recognized for her great faith – by Jesus.
Sit on that for a moment.
Are you needing some encouragement in your walk with Jesus? Have you been running hard in this race called life, and you are exhausted, limping, and in need of a snack?
Come alongside Jesus and He will give you everything you need. He will sing over you with a lullaby (Zephaniah 3:17) He will hold you up on His shoulders so you can rest (Deuteronomy 33:12). He will give you the breather you need as you pull His yoke over your shoulders (that very yoke you might have let slip off). He will lead you to peaceful streams, and let you graze on the green pastures. He will restore you (Psalm 23).
This woman came to Jesus for healing for her daughter and she got that. But she received so much more.
The very Author and Perfecter of her faith spoke to her. And they were talking about faith – her faith. And Jesus called it ‘great.’
Do you find yourself coming to Jesus for one thing and leaving with something completely different? Yes, Jesus knows what we need and when we need it. He takes us where we are and draws us higher, closer, and into His chest.
Will you allow Him to do so?
Oh Father God, thank You for these precious examples in Scripture from which to learn. We can see You, how You interact, encourage, listen, and give just what was needed in any given situation. You are amazing. Sovereign. Good. Holy. Powerful. And Perfect. Thank You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus. AMEN
