The Scenic Overlook

Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.” — Matthew 15:28

This is one of those Scripture passages that leaves me feeling perplexed. Regardless of the supposedly affectionate connotation of the word that Jesus uses, I cannot wrap my head around Him referring to the Syrophoenician woman and her daughter as dogs. But it sets the scene for one of the few interactions in which Jesus seems to be genuinely impressed by someone’s behavior.

The woman’s response: “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table,” takes a surprising combination of humility and courage. Humility not to argue against being called a dog. Courage to risk further rejection. It earns her high praise from Jesus: “Woman, you have great faith!”

Jesus initially tells the woman that He was sent to help the lost sheep of Israel. He is on a hike to reach the Jewish people, and she isn’t Jewish. Yet, Jesus’s journey has turned out to be one of constant conflict with the Pharisees and their self-righteousness. Surely, it was encouraging for Him to meet someone whose hope was founded not on her own worthiness but on God’s grace.

Jesus’s encounter with the Syrophoenician woman is something like a scenic overlook in the midst of a long hike. Turning off of the main trail adds a little more to the overall mileage. But the views are worth it.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live with the faith of the Syrophoenician woman, believing in Your love and goodness toward us. Amen.