The ministry of Jesus was filled with extraordinary miracles. Most of Jesus' earthly ministry was done in Jewish communities. He went to places such as Samaria and the Decapolis but all these places had the presence of Jewish people. His miraculous power was at work at all the places He went. In one of Jesus' ministry days, he encountered a Canaanite woman whose faith Jesus recommended to his disciples. The Bible doesn't mention the name of this woman. She is referred mainly as a Canaanite woman or the Syrophoenician woman. This woman understood that her daughter's challenges could be resolved if only Jesus is willing to help. She might have heard of the miraculous power of Jesus through the different narratives people would have shared about Jesus. She heard that Jesus was in her neighbourhood and she wisely took advantage of it.
Jesus had explained to his disciples on things that defile (Matthew 15:1- 20; Mark 7:1-23). The Pharisees and some teachers of the Law had accused the disciples of Jesus for eating with unwashed hands. Jesus later explained to his disciples about being really defiled. In Mark 7: 21-23, Jesus says: "For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” This explanation might have seemed new to these Jewish disciples because their understanding of defilement even included associations with non-Jewish and people tagged as sinners. No wonder the leaders of the people were surprised to see Jesus feast with tax collectors. After this encounter with the religious people, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. (Matthew 15:21). There, He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret (Mark 7:24).
Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” (Matthew 15:27)
According to Mark 7:25-26, as soon as the Syrophoenician woman heard about Him, She came and fell at His feet. The woman's little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia and thus a Syrophoenician woman. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. Jesus said to the woman, “First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27). This comment relegated the woman to the margins. She didn't qualify for God's miracle because she wasn't a child. I am not sure if Jesus was testing her faith but the woman clearly wasn't disturbed by this comment. She had heard so much about Jesus and she wouldn't let go. She replied Jesus, “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” (Matthew 15:27). In her response, she acknowledged that Jesus is right about first giving the children's food to the children. Then she said the dogs lying under the table get the opportunity to eat the crumbs that fall from the table.
Her reply amazed Jesus. The woman understood that every entity close to the master’s table has a chance to enjoy, whether the main meal or the crumbs. Jesus had just explained defilement to His disciples prior to this encounter. In fact, the religious Jews would stay away from foreigners so they would not be defiled by the practices of these foreigners. Jesus had redefined defilement and the Syrophoenician woman's strong faith would have demonstrated to the disciples that even the foreigner has access to God's presence. Jesus replied to the woman and said, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter" and she went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone (Mark 7:29-30). The Syrophoenician woman received an instant miracle for her daughter because of her persevering faith. She wasn't moved by the religious barrier. She understood that religiosity could only hinder her from assessing the master's table. Her faith was in the channel of power (Jesus) not the limitations of her race.
We need to understand that God loves the world but He doesn't force Himself on anyone. Whosoever believes in His Son Jesus and accepts Jesus as their Lord and Saviour has accessed eternal life. When we come to Christ, we need to understand that we need faith to tap into the storehouses of the kingdom. There are times that we would face barriers but we should keep pressing. We need persevering faith. If it doesn't happen today, we shouldn't pack our bags and leave. We need to push through with perseverance. Remember, that the Master's table has all sorts of goodness but you need to be seated around, or even be under the table to benefit from it. Yet to all who did receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God (see John 1:12). Let us go confidently to the Lord’s table, understanding that what defiles us is not our past but the evil that comes from our hearts. Therefore rend your hearts not your garments and return to the Lord (Joel 2:13).
Comments