Reflection on the Faith of the Caananite Woman in Matthew 15
In Matthew 15:21-28 (also Mark 7:24-30) we see the story of a woman who is not a Jew but who has great faith and she receives blessing from Jesus in the healing of her daughter. This, however, only happens because she is willing to acknowledge her brokenness and her plight of being an outsider, not a member of the family of God. She rests her faith, it would seem, on the promise of God from Genesis 22:17-18…
“17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”” (Genesis 22:17–18, ESV)
As she addresses Jesus as the son of David, she was surely aware of some Jewish tradition and teaching. Though she is an outsider she pleads not upon her merit or any sense of Jesus owing her this blessing, but rather she pleads based upon the blessing God promised to all the nations being blessed in the offspring of Abraham. She perceived that the blessing of Abraham spills over into saving grace for every tribe, people, language, and nation (cf. Rev 5:9).
“22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”” (Matthew 15:22–27, ESV)
Jesus knew this woman and her faith before the interchange began and He lead her to this confession through his statements and He is pleased to bless her. She did not arch her back to the suggestion that mercy is not deserved or earned. She did not contest that the family nature of this blessing was unfair or unjust. Salvation is a family matter and God sent His Son for His lost sheep. But Jesus explains in John 10 that He has other sheep (other than the house of Israel)…
“15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:15–16, ESV)
So let us not come to God demanding something that is not ours and something that we do not deserve. Rather, let us cast ourselves at His feet and claim the promises of God knowing that He will not turn away those who genuinely and humbly call upon His mercy in the person of Jesus…
“13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” (Romans 10:13, ESV)
Some give appearance of relying upon His name and are yet turned away (cf. Luke 9:57-62). But this woman honors God and understands mercy. Her faith is genuine and as is the case with all genuine faith, it was an unmerited gift from God (cf. Eph 2:8).
“28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15:28, ESV)
Like the Caananite woman here, let us recognize our need and let us give glory to God in trusting in a promise of mercy rather than in our deserving or earning or our twisted sense of entitlement. Let us rejoice in the Lord and praise His glorious and amazing grace that saves a wretch like me!
Soli Deo Gloria!
