Matthew 15:21-28

²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of Dvid, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” ²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel,” ²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. ²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” ²⁷ Yes, it is, Lord, ” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

This is a story of defiance, love, faith, and favor. Strong emotions that reveal both the seen and unseen power of God in the person of Jesus. I am suggesting that unseen power can flow equally to you in your time of need.

The Canaanite women seeking Jesus’s healing favor, comes from a community which had been conquered by Israel. Israel had conquered Canaan at God’s instruction, not to destroy the people, but to destroy their worship of idols. Nonetheless, the Canaanite people held great disdain for Israel, and this brave woman defied her community because of her need to save her daughter. Jesus was her last, best hope of healing her.

She came to know of the miraculous power of Jesus and sought him out, full well knowing that as a Canaanite, he most likely would refuse to help her. But her faith was strong, her courage was limitless, and she would not take “no” for an answer. Against all odds, Jesus favored her faith and healed her daughter.

I urge you to employ the power of Jesus on your own behalf. Accept Him as your Lord and savior. Express your faith in him and ask Him to heal you. In this process, do not neglect the help that He may send you in the form of Christian friends, a supportive church community, and medical professionals.