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 pleased by someone.

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 with being correlated to a dog. Courage to risk further rejection.

It earns the mother praise from Jesus: “Woman, you have great faith!”

In midst of continual conflict with the Pharisees, with their self-righteousness and skepticism, it must have been encouraging for Jesus to meet someone whose hope was founded on God’s grace and goodness rather than her own worthiness.

Like a scenic overlook on a long hike, turning off of the main trail adds a little more to the overall mileage of the journey. But the stunning view makes it all worthwhile.

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