Jesus Teaches His Disciples The Value of Women

Matthew 15:22-28

A Canaanite woman came to Jesus while he was with his disciples. She needed a miracle for her daughter who was tormented by a demon. She was desperate.

At that time, Jewish men didn’t even regard woman important enough to be counted when they recalled an event.  A Canaanite woman wasn’t regarded at all because she was not Jewish. This woman plowed through all these obstacles for the one opportunity to see her daughter delivered. Her love for her daughter was bigger than her fear of men.

At first, Jesus seems to ignore her.  The disciples become uncomfortable and want to send her away. She persists. Next, Jesus says something to her that sounds a bit demeaning. He says, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." She begins to worship him. Hmmm.

At her next request he says, “It is not meet (proper in Jewish culture) to take the children’s (what is meant for the children of God) bread and to cast it to the dogs (puppies that hang around the table). The woman refutes that even the puppies get the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.

I wonder if Jesus created an intentional display more for his disciples than for the woman. He seemingly ignored her, but the pause grabbed the disciples' attention. Jesus then pointed out two very important Jewish beliefs: 

   1) Woman and non-Jews had no value. 

   2) Only descendants of Jacob received blessing. 

I believe that Jesus was about the change the culture of his time. He was going to demonstrate to his disciples that everyone (every gender, every nation) was called into the fullness of The Father.

Next, the woman worshiped Jesus. She understood where this was going.

Jesus then says, “O woman…” He calls her by the very thing that would have disqualified her by tradition. He continues with, “Great is thy faith.” This woman knew what God could do. She worshiped the God she believed, and she pursued him as one who realized her value and deserved his blessing. Jesus then declares, “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt (desires).”

This woman had been granted her every desire, right in front of the Jewish disciples! They would never be able to forget this day. The foundation of those who followed Jesus would be changed forever. Let's never forget the lessons we've been taught. Let's keep digging for the gold beneath the surface.