Into Tire and Sidon; the Daughter of a Syro-Phoenician and Others Healed

["Click here for Matthew's account"]
["Click here for Mark's account"]

We have 30 events listed in this section, listed, as well as we can, in the order of their occurrence. These 30 events will take us up to the last week in the life of Christ. We will use primarily the account as found in Matthew.
We see, from this account, that Jesus left Capernaum and went northwest about 40 miles to the District in Phoenicia where the towns of Tyre and Sidon were located. These two towns were located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Here we find the "first rays" of the light that was to "enlighten" the Gentiles.
Notice that it occurred after Jesus had attempted to teach the Scribes and Pharisees that had come up from Jerusalem and also His Disciples and others concerning the nature of His message (the bread of life) and not getting much encouragement, he left Israel and went into the country of Phoenicia to people of Greek descent.
A stranger to the Commonwealth of Israel, a Gentile Canaanite woman Matthew calls her approaches Jesus. We see in this woman, great faith, yet in all probably, had not Jesus came to her, she would not have gone to Him. Notice how she addresses Jesus. "O Lord, Son of David." This woman knew that Jesus was the Messiah. How did she know, and others who certainly had more access to the scriptures, did not know? Surly her heart and mind was open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In those 5 words, she declared her knowledge that the Messiah was promised from the linage of David.
Notice she calls from a distance, respecting the Jewish laws concerning Gentiles, and basically, just asks for mercy. Actually, she begs for mercy. She knows that she does not merit it but asks just the same and not for herself, but for her daughter. Now, what was wrong with her daughter? "My daughter is severely possessed by a Demon." The powers and compassion of The Messiah had done out even beyond the bounds of Israel.
In all the requests that were based on faith up to this point, Jesus was always quick to heal. But notice how this woman was treated. He did not answer her or even acknowledge that she had spoken to Him. Why? There are two possible reasons:

His Disciples were with Him, and they were Jews. He did not want to respond to quickly to this woman's request, considering she was a Gentile and He had, just a short while before, sent out the Disciples but limited their mission to the Jews.
Secondly, and more probable, He knew the strength of her faith and how able she was to stand up to discouragement. As Peter wrote in his Epistle, "That the trial of her faith might be found unto phrase and honor and glory."

Notice how He discouraged her. He didn't answer her nor acknowledge that she had spoken to Him. Every accepted prayer is not answered immediately. In the proving of our faith, we improve it. Notice the embarrassment of the Disciples. "Send her away, she is forever following after us crying out." The were not concerned weather Jesus answered her request or not, they just wanted to get rid of her.
But notice how Jesus answers them. (Verse 24), "I was sent, only, to the lost sheep of Israel." How tragic it would have been if this had been true. He not only does not answer her but gives her reason to believe that He would never answer her. But, (Verse 25) she would not take no for an answer. She came up to Him and kneeled before Him and said, "Lord, help me." It might be well here to explain the term Syro-Phoenician. It is a term used to apply to anyone of Syrian and Phoenician ancestry. Her Phoenician ancestry probably was made up of Greek and Canaanite people. Thus the translations differ in their description of the nationality of this woman.
The woman came up to Jesus and kneeled before Him and said, "Lord, help me." There is much for us to learn from this.

Never be discouraged in your prayers.
Never blame God for not answering your prayers, maybe you haven't given Him time.
Always consider your sincerity as a possible cause of the delay.
Perhaps you were sincere but your motive was wrong.

Notice her perseverance begins to pay off for now, at least, He looks at her and answers her. "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." How does that strike you? Unfair? Un-Christ like? Surly this answer would have at least discouraged, if not made angry, the most ardent of seekers. God's Grace or "bread" was offered to the Children of God or His Covenant People, the Jews. The Jews looked upon the Gentiles as Dogs and here Jesus seems to allow it. Matthew Henry says that God likes to test great faith with great trials and sometimes reserves the worst for the last, that being tried, we may come forth like gold.
Notice her faith does not waver, she only prays more earnestly. "Yes Lord, what you say is true, but even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master's table." Thus she proved her faith, but to whom? Certainly not to Jesus, He knew from the moment He saw her. Perhaps to herself? Perhaps, certainly it was strengthen as the result of this test. Maybe to the Disciples then. Yes, racial bounds had been broken that day. When you are a "second class" anything, you cannot be: just as good" as those who are first, you must be better. Thus it was that Jesus started talking like Himself again for He acknowledges to the Disciples what He obviously knew from the beginning, that she had a great faith.
Note the list of graces that she possessed for which He might have commended her. She had wisdom (knew He was the Messiah) humility (called from a distance) meekness (accepted being called a dog) patience (accepted however long it took) perseverance (did not give up on her request), but there are fruits of the faith and by their fruit shall you know them. Though faith in all Saints is sufficient for eternal life, it varies in quality and strength.
Now lets not forget the happy ending to the story. The text simply ends by saying, "Her daughter was healed instantly." "O woman, great is your faith." "Be it done for you as you desire."

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