Jesus Honors a SyroPhoenician Woman's Faith

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

This is quite an amazing story for many reasons.

1. Jesus left the busyness of ministry to get away. He went as far as he could, to the coast into the Gentile region where he had hoped he had not become too popular yet. He went into a home hoping for some respite from the grind of ministry. And yet even here he could not keep his presence a secret.

2. A Greek speaking woman from the area came in humility begging Jesus to heal her daughter, who was possessed by a demon. Though many of Jesus' own people and even his disciples were sometimes slow to believe, this woman believed from her head to her toes that Jesus could deliver her daughter.

3. At first Jesus balked referring to the primary mission he was on to the Jewish people. He even seems to want to dismiss her, saying it is not right to give the children's bread to the dogs. Upon hearing this a lot of us would walk away. But this woman persists by saying that she would take even a crumb if it came from Jesus. Perhaps she had heard of the feeding of the 5,000 and the basketfuls left over.

4. Jesus recognizes and honors her great faith by delivering her daughter from the demon. Notice Jesus' word was so powerful he had power over the demons from a distance. And when the woman came home her daughter was lying in bed waiting to share the good news that she was free at last. We can only imagine how great was her joy!

What can we learn from this story?

1. First and foremost the perseverance of this woman. How often do we quit praying when we don't see an immediate answer? Sometimes God answers our prayers for healing right away, at other times he calls us to trust him in continuing to persevere in prayer. It is a test of our faith. Where do you need to persevere in prayer today? Perhaps it is something in your own life you are praying for. Or, maybe a family member or friend you have been interceding for God to come into their life in a deeper way through Jesus. Let us remember this humble woman, who didn't give up and finally saw her prayers answered.

2. We see Jesus' humanity. He needed at times to get away from the grind of ministry. And yet, there are times that even when we are getting away that we can minister to others. We don't compartmentalize our faith, but it goes with us wherever we go. And we are ready at any time to give a reason for the hope that is within us, or pray for someone who needs God's help.

Let us persevere in prayer waiting for God to honor our prayers in His timing and in His way. Amen.

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