Why was her faith so great?

[Pamelasv]

The Canaan woman in Matthew 15:21.   Was it because of her persistence that proved she knew He could do it?  Was it because she believed He had so much power from the almighty God that a few crumbs were enough to heal her child? Why did Jesus say her faith was great?  There has to be something a little more.  All I see is her desperation to deliver her child from this, but obviously something more to it then.  Was she risking something? Jesus had no qualms healing the Roman centurians servent, but made her beg, they both being gentiles.

I've often wondered why He said her faith was great.

 

[*Zion*]

 Jesus had no qualms healing the Roman centurian's servant, but made her beg, they both being gentiles.

I've often wondered why He said her faith was great.

 

True. Hmm...

[*Zion*]

So why didn't Jesus make the same point of calling the centurion a dog?  Interesting indeed.

[Esther4:14]

The Canaan woman in Matthew 15:21.   Was it because of her persistence that proved she knew He could do it?  Was it because she believed He had so much power from the almighty God that a few crumbs were enough to heal her child? Why did Jesus say her faith was great?  There has to be something a little more.  All I see is her desperation to deliver her child from this, but obviously something more to it then.  Was she risking something? Jesus had no qualms healing the Roman centurians servent, but made her beg, they both being gentiles.

I've often wondered why He said her faith was great.

 

You know, I don't have a way to answer this at the moment, but I wanted to say that I think you ask the best questions.  They really make me think.  

[*Zion*]

Jeff, would it do you mortal harm to have a kinder tone sometimes, instead of assuming you know everything plus everyone's motives for saying what they have to say?

This is what turns me off.  This board is for discussion, not arrogance and mere assumption.  We are asking important questions, and in my opinion, you are far away from answering mine in this instance.

[missmuffet]

The victory was supernatural.Sometimes God calls people to step out in faith and to attempt the unexpected.God often uses unlikely people to accomplish His plans.

[Ezra]

I've often wondered why He said her faith was great.

Faith is always tested by God. There are some individuals who are not tested greatly, while there are others who are severely tested.

Christ in His omniscience already knew the outcome, and knowing in advance that she had extraordinary faith He decided to test this woman's faith very severely (possibly as a lesson for His disciples). It is noteworthy that even though she was outside the pale of Judaism and lived in a heathen land, she knew exactly who Christ was (which even the learned scribes and Pharisees failed to see). She approached Jesus with the understanding that He is God and Lord, as well as the true Messiah of Israel, but the Lord would test her faith to the limit: 

1. She "cried unto Him, saying 'Have mercy on me' -- this was a cry to God Himself (v.22).

2. She called Him "Lord" -- and no one can say "Lord" except by the Spirit (v 22).

3. She called Him "Son of David" -- a recognition that Christ was the King-Messiah of Israel (v 22)

4. She was met with silence from Christ, but that did not deter her in the least (v 23).

5. She was met with contempt from the disciples, but that failed to faze her (v 23).

6. Christ told her bluntly she was not "of the house of Israel", but that did not discourage her (v 24). She knew in her heart that God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles.

7. Instead of slinking away, she fell down at His feet and worshiped Him, which was another display of steadfast faith (v 25). This proves that she recognized Christ's Deity.

8. She remembered that Jesus is God, and only God can help a person who is dealing with the Devil. Thus she said "Lord, help me" (v 25).

9. The Lord was not through with testing her, so He said that the children's bread does not belong to the dogs, reminding her again that she was a Gentile and not a Jew (v 26).

10. Even that word of discouragement did not deter this amazing woman, who responded with an astute and witty remark to show that she would simply not let Him go. She would be satisfied with the crumbs (v 27), but again she addressed Him as "Lord".

11. The final outcome was that the Lord praised her faith as being "great", and granted her request for the healing of her daughter (v 28).

This is undoubtedly a remarkable incident, and has many lessons for us. To answer the OP "Why was her faith so great?" one can only conclude that she must has already said in her heart "With God, nothing is impossible".

[*Zion*]

That's fine for you, I'm sure, but 'did you bother' is far from a straightforward tone.  The fact that the Jewish men vouched for the centurion is not really an answer to my question, more like a plausible candidate for an answer.  I don't like to speculate when it comes to the Word of God.

I also don't like to argue, but I just don't see why we feel the need to talk down to each other more and more.  Did you bother to think about your tone at all?  I find it incredibly offensive sometimes, and I may just be the only one, and you really shouldn't change just for me, but did you even think about it?  (Yes I deliberately repeated the question)

I really didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but boy oh boy!...

 

[Your closest friendnt]

The Canaan woman in Matthew 15:21.   Was it because of her persistence that proved she knew He could do it?  Was it because she believed He had so much power from the almighty God that a few crumbs were enough to heal her child? Why did Jesus say her faith was great?  There has to be something a little more.  All I see is her desperation to deliver her child from this, but obviously something more to it then.  Was she risking something? Jesus had no qualms healing the Roman centurians servent, but made her beg, they both being gentiles.

I've often wondered why He said her faith was great.

 

The people in that area they had been the next door neibours of the Jews and had dealings with them and new who was the Lord God, and a lot of things, they also new about the new prophet in Israel and the rumors about him, they new he heals the sick. 

In the past, prophets from Israel had visited them. The one with the oil, the other one did not have children, and God gave her a son, who later died and the prophet raise him up from the dead.

the point I am trying to make is that, even thought they believe that the Lord God he was the one he said he was, but because they were the abomination ( unclean) they can not be included, or be the children of God.(the sheet that came down from haven with the unclean animals),      

But inspire all these, when the prophets visited them, they always did good to them, God did give them his goodness to them.

this lady new all the stories, and also new something else, that all the people the prophets had help were women, (a strange thing), so all those things from the past, plus that Jesus was known to heal the sick had build up a strong faith in this woman, definitely she meets the profile to be a recipient of Gods goodness, ( God had given them his goodness in the past, and how about if he was the Christ).

she new something why is the prophet  here in our place , she was anticipating the goodness of God to be manifested through his prophet. Jesus went to visit them, what an amazing story, Jesus wanted to see the neibours of the Jews while he was here on earth. "amazing".

this woman, new that God sent him to us, to do us good,she said to her self," that's my chance", I won't let it go by me, she Had gotten hold of this hope.

even thought God denei to have us as his children, he has not denied us his goodness, she new as a Caanait that she had acces to Gods goodness, through his prophet.

 

[thereselittleflower]

The Canaan woman in Matthew 15:21.   Was it because of her persistence that proved she knew He could do it?  Was it because she believed He had so much power from the almighty God that a few crumbs were enough to heal her child? Why did Jesus say her faith was great?  There has to be something a little more.  All I see is her desperation to deliver her child from this, but obviously something more to it then.  Was she risking something? Jesus had no qualms healing the Roman centurians servent, but made her beg, they both being gentiles.

I've often wondered why He said her faith was great.

 

She had no doubts and believed fully with her whole heart.