Jesus Heals a Gentile Woman’s Demon Possessed Daughter

When we read of this incident, we get a bit shocked at Jesus’ seemingly unkind language towards this non-Jewish woman. On a second glance, though, you realise that Jesus was drawing the woman’s motives out and, at the same time, gauging her belief system. Jesus was as sharp as a tack!

When He dismissed her pleas by saying He only came for ‘the lost sheep of Israel’ she came and knelt before Him and asked Him to help her. She verbally and physically demonstrated His Lordship over her situation (Matthew 15:24). When He said he couldn’t take the bread and give it to the dogs when it was meant for the children, she quickly jumped on the metaphoric wagon and reminded Him that the dogs would be content with the crumbs that fell from the table. What humility to overlook the insult of being likened to a dog and what faith in Jesus to say that even the crumbs of His powerful word could set her daughter free. Jesus commended her for her ‘great faith’ and her daughter received her healing (Matthew 15:28)!

Jesus didn’t just come for the well behaved, right sounding and right looking insiders but for every man, woman and child irrespective of their cultural, ethnic and social background. He came to set everyone free. The only condition was a humble and repentant heart that ate as ready to make him the Lord over all. The conditions are ridiculously simple and yet so many miss it because of pride and stubbornness.

Would you, like this woman, kneel before Jesus and ask him to help you?

It takes a strong person to kneel down in humility and look up to the supreme source of help and restoration.