Day 29 - The Gentile Woman
Read: Matthew 15:21-28
Reflect: In Matthew 15:21-28, we encounter a woman who comes to Jesus, begging for him to heal her daughter who is possessed by a demon. This woman was a Gentile, an outsider in Jewish society, and she must have known that Jesus was not obligated to help her. But despite this, she approached Jesus with great faith, saying "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
At first, Jesus appears to almost brush her off, telling her that his mission is to the lost sheep of Israel. But the woman persists, kneeling before him and pleading for his help. Jesus then says something that seems harsh and insensitive: "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." This was a common Jewish insult for gentiles, and it would have stung the woman deeply.
But instead of getting angry or giving up, the woman responds with incredible humility and faith: "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Jesus is moved by her response and commends her faith, saying "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."
What can we learn from this story? First, we see that faith in Jesus is not limited by our background, ethnicity, or social status. This woman was an outsider, but her faith was just as strong as any Jewish believer. Second, we see that persistence in prayer is crucial. The woman did not give up when Jesus seemed to reject her; instead, she continued to plead with him until he granted her request. Finally, we see that humility is an important characteristic of faith. The woman could have been angry or offended by Jesus' words, but instead she responded with humility and trust.
Respond: As we face challenges and difficulties in our own lives, let us remember the example of the gentile woman in Matthew 15. Let us approach Jesus with faith, persistence, and humility, trusting that he is able to meet our needs and grant our requests according to his will.