A Faith That Won't Quit!...Continued from page 2

Matthew Blake Judkins

Faith without Fear

She cried out, but Jesus didn’t say a word ? complete silence. At this point, the disciples (and many of us) get a little uncomfortable. They shuffle their feet a little, finally speak up and say, “Jesus, umm . . . maybe you could just heal her daughter and she would leave us alone. You know, it’s actually embarrassing us to see her acting like this ? and you know what people will say seeing her following us around.” To this Jesus tells the disciples, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” How do you think they would have responded? Would they have been as shocked as we are that Jesus says this? Or would they have been thinking this already, “Well, yeah Jesus . . . we don’t like Canaanites either, but she’s driving us crazy.” We then see something more about her faith. Not only does she have faith without shame ? she has a faith without fear. She’s not afraid of Jesus or the disciples ? she throws herself down at Jesus’ feet in total worship. With nothing to lose she shows a relentless dependence on Jesus. Without shame and without fear, she falls at Jesus feet. She asks again, “Lord, help me.” Is this the kind of utter devotion we have or are we afraid to pray and ask God something because we might be told no? This woman doesn’t let Jesus’ lack of response stop her ? she’s not afraid ? because she has a faith without fear.

Faith that Won’t Quit

However, on top of a faith without shame and a faith without fear she shows a faith without stopping ? a faith that won’t quit. As she is bowed down at Jesus’ feet, he tells her something very strange. He says, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Everyone there knew what Jesus meant, both the disciples and the woman. He was saying in effect ? It isn’t good to take the blessing meant for Israel and give it to the Gentiles ? the dogs. Who do we stand with when we hear this? Do we stand with the disciples, who probably agreed and say, “Hmm . . . well Jesus has a point, we should take care of our own.” Or do we find ourselves at Jesus feet wi

th the woman saying, “Jesus, master, as always you’re right. But even the dogs eat from the crumbs that fall off the master’s table.” In other words, on her face in worship at the feet of Jesus the woman says, “Lord, I know your blessings are for the entire world. I know your blessing is so great that I’ll gladly take the leftovers and be satisfied.” At this final response from the woman whose faith won’t quit, I can see the scene. His serious face broke into a smile, he reaches down, grabs her by the hand, and helps her off her feet, looks her in the eye and says, “Great is your faith woman, your daughter is healed!”