Mountain Moving Faith and PrayerНамуна

Persistent Faith 

Read Matthew 15:21-28 

Jesus has finished his powerful ministry in the Galilee region. They have had their opportunity. He has withdrawn to Gentile territory before a final push through Judea and on to his final destination, Jerusalem. Maybe he was getting away from the threats of Herod Antipas. Maybe he needed a break to prepare for what lay ahead. Whatever the reason, for a short time Jesus sequestered himself in foreign territory where he was less well known. 

But a Canaanite woman recognized Jesus and asked for help. It seems that Jesus was not too keen to get involved. I know how he felt. When I’m on holiday, I’m reluctant to give too much time to any problems that arise back at home. It’s not that I don’t care, I just need some space to replenish and refresh.

So Jesus brushed off this lady. He was not in Gentile territory to drum up more followers. They were not his calling or target. In God’s time, they would be reached by Christian gospel missionaries, but this was not their time. Jesus had come as the Suffering Servant to save all Israel. God’s intention was to reach his own people first and through them to save the world. Jesus’ boundaries were strong. Of course, he cared, but he would not be distracted. It was not the time. 

However, this woman would just not give up. There was a temple for Eshmun, a pagan god of healing, just up the road, but she needed Jesus to heal her daughter. The woman employed every tool at her disposal. She kept crying out so that she could not be ignored. She used the Jewish title, “Son of David,” for Jesus showing that she understood his Messianic role. She humbly knelt before Jesus in obeisance and called him “Lord.” She parried his seeming dismissive words with the theological insight that God’s intention was also to bless the Gentiles (the dogs that eat the crumbs). This was a persistent and insightful and godly Canaanite woman and Jesus knew it. He marveled at her great faith in him. He could not resist it. And he miraculously healed her daughter. 

Big faith is persistent. It is not put off by disappointment or setbacks or even the seeming silence of God. Big faith is determined to persevere until Jesus responds. Sometimes he says, “No.”  That’s okay. That’s his call. We trust Jesus. But until then, big faith keeps pushing and pushing, holding on to the biblical truth that God loves to give good gifts to his people. If you think that it is rude or faith-less to keep asking Jesus to work in power, read this passage again and hear Jesus’ response to the Canaanite lady’s persistence, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”