The Canaanite Woman’s Faith (Mt 15: 21-28)

It is the story of “amazing faith”. Last day we reflected on the faith of Peter and walking over the sea. Peter was brave enough at first to walk over the water ignoring the sea and the wind because he was fully focused on Jesus. Once he lost his focus from Jesus he became fearful about the surrounding realities which threatened him. Then he began to sink. But once again he could focus on Jesus and Jesus saved him from the danger.

In the incident of Canaanite woman, we see a faith that is so focused and determined. No power could take away her focus from Jesus. The powers that could have affected her negatively were the crowd, the silence of Jesus (But he did not say a word in answer to her), the seemingly negative response of Jesus (I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel), and the rejection (it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs). But none of these blocks could take away her focus from Jesus. The result was the amazing Healing, a faith that amazed Jesus.

Ask and it shall be given, knock and it shall be open, seek and you shall find, is the promise of Jesus. She asked and it was given to her in spite of her position in the society (Canaanite). Let this be a model for us to come to Jesus, and let no hindrance take away our focus from Him.