In Matthew chapter 15, Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman:
21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
23 But He answered her not a word.
In these three verses, the woman effectively makes three statements:
I know who you are.
I know who I am.
Let’s get this thing done.
This woman knew that Jesus could heal AND she knew that He was a royal descendent of King David thus He had the power and authority to deal with her demon-possessed daughter. What did Jesus say in response? Nothing! However, she already knew that He could resolve her issue and did not depart being rejected and disheartened. Instead she persisted and the disciples interjected:
And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Seemingly Jesus agrees with the disciples but yet He is actually testing the woman and at the same time teaching the disciples a lesson. The disciples are focused only on their own people and are not interested in ministering to strangers of another nation. The woman continues to press Him:
25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
Many would have stopped just before this point and assume that it is not FATHER’S will to heal. I say to you that healing and health is one of HIS character traits (Jehovah Rapha: Exodus 15:26) and that we must not take no for an answer when we are confronted with a situation contrary to HIS will. Jesus posed the situation where He is called to focus on the children of Israel but she would not be denied:
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
She knew Jesus had enough power and authority to heal her daughter and that it was not only designated and restricted to the children of Israel. Rather than accept the fact that He was called to Israel, she challenged His response. How many of us would do the same? This woman was tenacious and desperate to see her daughter made whole. How desperate and determined are you for the fullness of FATHER to come your way? Can’t you imagine that the disciples were getting irritated with this woman? She was messing up their church doctrine and needed to leave and quit bothering their Master. Now, Jesus brings forth the punch line:
28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Jesus answered her request and healed the daughter without even being there, similar to the encounter with the centurion. He specifically acknowledged the reality that one can have “great” faith versus little or no faith. At the same time He made the point that your faith would be tested and your request may not come immediately without strong resolve. How convinced are you that healing is for today? How convinced are you that FATHER has resources ready to deploy on your behalf? Press in my friend!
Yes, people can be demon-possessed. Jesus did not dispute the issue with the daughter but instead He healed her. You don’t have to physically be in the same room for the power and authority to operate. Healing is for all of mankind, not just the few. Jesus did not even know the daughter but was willing to answer her need thus He expressed Love for the stranger.
29 Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.
FATHER had specifically sent Jesus to heal the daughter and demonstrate HIS Love for ALL of mankind by showing the disciples that the Gentiles were to receive the Gospel as well. This is what the trip was all about. If FATHER sends you on a mission under one assumption and when you get there, HE has you do something else, don’t be surprised. If HE had divulged the underlying mission, you may have resisted because of your current understanding. When HE says go, GO! This is what great faith does and this is how Love responds.