"A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.'
But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. 'Tell her to go away,' they said. 'She is bothering us with all her begging.'
Then Jesus said to the woman, 'I was sent only to help God's lost sheep—the people of Israel.'
But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, 'Lord, help me!'
Jesus responded, 'It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.'
She replied, 'That's true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters' table.'
'Dear woman,' Jesus said to her, 'your faith is great. Your request is granted.' And her daughter was instantly healed."
This woman was persistent! Her persistence must have been born both of love for her daughter and of faith. She recognized Jesus as God, for she worshiped him. This was faith! Because she believed Jesus was God, she believed he could and would grant her request. His seemingly harsh initial attitude might have been more for his fellow Jews to hear than for her. They needed to know that he gave them priority. They also needed to see that faith is what matters. Through this woman's faith, Jesus was able to perform his healing.
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