A Commendation from Jesus

It’s a pretty big deal when Jesus calls someone out in a positive way and says, “Great is your faith.” After all, He was an expert on the subject of faith.

In Matthew 15, we read of Jesus specifically commenting on the faith of someone who didn’t have the privilege of walking and talking with Him, hearing His great teaching, or seeing His powerful miracles. More to the point, she was a Canaanite, and she had a demon-possessed daughter.

She was the mother who wouldn’t give up, because nothing would stop her from getting to Jesus. However, she didn’t come to Him with demands but instead begged for mercy (see Matthew 15:21 NLT).

Jesus knew that she had amazing faith, and He wanted to draw her faith out. So, He put up a hurdle, if you will. He said, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel” (verse 24 NLT).

But she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Again, she asked Him for help, and He told her, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs” (verse 26 NLT). In the original language Jesus used a word for “dogs” that we could translate “puppies.”

She could have been offended, but I think she knew exactly what was going on. She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table” (verse 27 NLT).

She easily cleared the hurdle, and Jesus told her, “Dear woman, your faith is great. Your request is granted” (verse 28 NLT).

The door was shut in her face, but this woman kept on knocking. She wouldn’t give up. She wasn’t going home without an answer.

Her story serves as a reminder that no matter what, we need to bring our problems to Jesus.