She was a woman, a Gentile, a descendant of the ancient Canaanites (a people who were enemies of Israel in the past, and whose paganism had often led Israel into idolatry), and she was desperate. Her daughter was suffering something so terrible that the condition was described as being “demon possessed” (Matt. 15:22).

She comes to Jesus, and he seems to be so focused on His mission to Israel that He isn’t interested in this woman or her daughter. She keeps insisting and the disciples get frustrated and ask Jesus to get rid of her. He didn’t make an attempt to get rid of her but he certainly affirmed what the culture of that day said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matt. 15:26).

We’re not sure all that Jesus intended by that statement, but it sure seems out of character. The woman didn’t care. In fact, she agreed with Him. She knew that in the eyes of the Jewish folks she was less than a dog, but she was desperate, and don’t ever mess with a desperate mom, when her desperation is because of her child. In essence she said to Jesus, “You’re right. I know who I am. I’m a nobody, according to the rules, but my daughter needs help. Even the family pet is allowed to eat food that has fallen on the floor” (See Matt. 15:27).

This stopped Jesus in His tracks, and the story takes an incredible turn. He is stirred by what He hears and tells her, right there in front of all who stood close by that her faith was great, and that she was going to get her request. (Matt. 15:28).

A Gentile woman stuns us by her faith and we see that in the things of God it isn’t our background or cultural situation that matters. What matters is that we have faith in God.

Faith in God is the distinguishing difference.

O, Canaanite woman, your faith is great. They will be telling your story ages and ages hence. They will tell of the day when the doors of the lost sheep of the house of David got blown off their hinges so that forever and ever whosoever will may be.