Matthew 15:21-28 tells a pivotal story of a person who is doubly marginal – she is a woman and a Gentile (Canaanite).
The story has some beautiful moments. The woman comes to Jesus and appeals, “Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” Her pleas annoy the disciples who urge him to send her away. Jesus seems to ignore the woman and instead he responds to the disciples with the clear limitation of his ministry goals: he was sent to Israel. Should he make an exception in the woman’s case of pressing need?
The woman, in her need, doesn’t give up. At verse 25 we read, But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” In this moment, on her knees, she lifts her heart and voice in worship. No suggestion of Jesus being for Israel only, but the simple, rich greeting, Lord. She is saying to Jesus, you are my Lord too. You are not just for the Israelites. Her faith is extravagant. She believes deeply that her Lord Jesus can help.
Jesus’ answer is surprising, almost provocative. He suggests the precious things he has for the Israelites cannot be thrown to the Gentile ‘puppies’ (or women!). Most of us would have given up on hearing Jesus response. But, not the Gentile woman. She responds with humour and faith. “Yes, Lord, even the pups eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table”.
The Canaanite woman realises Jesus is asking her to seek him, not as an Israelite, but on the grounds of unmerited grace. This woman is controlling the action. She knows that even small dogs, get treats from the table. The woman reaches into her well of need and her extravagant faith and pleads for just a crumb. Jesus answers her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Imagine her joy at Jesus pausing in his work day with warmth and greatness to allow compassion for people to overrule his plans. Jesus answered her prayer and granted healing for her daughter.
We learn from this story -
- Jesus loves people as they matter more than things
- God honours extravagant faith
- Extravagant faith grafted the Gentile woman into God’s kingdom.
Let’s welcome those who are marginal in our community and our world that they too may have the opportunity to be grafted into God’s kingdom.
Image: Koenig, Peter. The Daughter of the Canaanite Woman, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt University Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/58530 [retrieved August 13, 2026]. Original source: Peter Winfried (Canisius) Koenig, https://www.pwkoenig.co.uk/.
