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.

 

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.

 

True!  

[Pamelasv]

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".

Sounds like good stuff.

[Pamelasv]

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

I heard the Philistines ( caananites) were called dogs by comparing them to snarling dogs which they displayed toward Isreal. 

[Pamelasv]

... ... .....  who is willing to put their trust in, rely on, and honor Yeshua instead of honoring the flesh , the world, and the enemy ?  ((look around and see, if Yahweh permits)) ,   only a few, if any, can you find....  just as Yeshua said it is, and would be, so it is TODAY....    He tells everyone,  choose TODAY who to serve;  turn TODAY to Yahweh to be saved from the power of sin, the devil, the flesh, and the world.  the kingdom of Yahweh is at hand, even at the door.  BEHOLD , I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK......   whoever let's ME in I will come in and sup with him and he will have ETERNAL LIFE....  TODAY - while HE may be found;  while there is still a chance to be saved,  while there is still any LIGHT at all left....

the disciples asked of Yeshua "give us greater faith"......   and His answer from the Father in heaven is PERFECT.((He did not give them "greater faith"))

you sound like you don't think we are saved.

[other one]

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!...

 

No you are not the only one...

[OneLight]

I think it is very simple.  I think she may of heard of the teaching s of Jesus in order to have faith in Him.  Jesus spoke at an earlier time, teaching:

Matthew 7:7-8

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

[JohnD]

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.

 

Faith is hope in what is not seen as the Bible states. But clearly it is acceptance of the sovereignty of God (choosing whom he will and accepting one is a dog not a child of the king) as the Canaanite woman displayed, AND it is understanding (which the Centurian displayed when he said he himself was a man under authority meaning Jesus was in authority from God). "Not in all Israel have I seen such faith." Jesus said to the Centurian.

When we who have what those people did not have (the Bible and the Holy Spirit) put our hope and trust in God, accept his word and not try to deny it or redefine it, and we understand by learning all we can about God and his plan, then we will have great faith.

Edited October 22, 2015 by JohnD

[*Zion*]

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.

 

Faith is hope in what is not seen as the Bible states. But clearly it is acceptance of the sovereignty of God (choosing whom he will and accepting one is a dog not a child of the king) as the Canaanite woman displayed, AND it is understanding (which the Centurian displayed when he said he himself was a man under authority meaning Jesus was in authority from God). "Not in all Israel have I seen such faith." Jesus said to the Centurian.

When we who have what those people did not have (the Bible and the Holy Spirit) put our hope and trust in God, accept his word and not try to deny it or redefine it, and we understand by learning all we can about God and his plan, then we will have great faith.

I agree.  All the more so because she was not of the people who were supposed to have faith in Jesus, as He came for the Jews first.  Although, not many of them at all proved to have any faith, for as a people they cried out for him to be killed.  Maybe He was testing her faith, somewhat?  He was challenging it at least.  But I am sure He must have loved her, God who is love and came that NONE should perish and all have eternal life.  I often wonder in what tone of voice He said some of the things He did.  Tone says a lot, lol

Edited October 22, 2015 by *Zion*

[JohnD]

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.

 

Faith is hope in what is not seen as the Bible states. But clearly it is acceptance of the sovereignty of God (choosing whom he will and accepting one is a dog not a child of the king) as the Canaanite woman displayed, AND it is understanding (which the Centurian displayed when he said he himself was a man under authority meaning Jesus was in authority from God). "Not in all Israel have I seen such faith." Jesus said to the Centurian.

When we who have what those people did not have (the Bible and the Holy Spirit) put our hope and trust in God, accept his word and not try to deny it or redefine it, and we understand by learning all we can about God and his plan, then we will have great faith.

I agree.  All the more so because she was not of the people who were supposed to have faith in Jesus, as He came for the Jews first.  Although, not many of them at all proved to have any faith, for as a people they cried out for him to be killed.  Maybe He was testing her faith, somewhat?  He was challenging it at least.  But I am sure He must have loved her, God who is love and came that NONE should perish and all have eternal life.  I often wonder in what tone of voice He said some of the things He did.  Tone says a lot, lol

Well said.

Understanding is what the cursing of the fig tree was all about (Mark 11:13-23 and parallel passages). That and concluding the old covenant. Jesus sought pre-seasonal fruit (i.e. anyone who understood) which is rare but does appear on fig trees and is particularly sweet. He found none. And in the curse / conclusion he said "No man eat fruit from you again forever." 

The fig tree will make an untimely reappearance in the time of the end (Matthew 24:32) but notice it puts forth only leaves and no fruit.

The fig tree is Israel / Judaism (Hosea 9:10).

Fig leaves represent useless human religion. Man's first religious act to try to hide their sins (Genesis 3:7).

1 John 1:9 (AV)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7 (AV)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:3–4 (AV)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1 John 2:1–2 (AV)

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

But this prepaid salvation must be activated by belief / faith in Jesus Christ:

John 3:16–18 (AV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Otherwise it is useless to save like a new credit card is useless to spend money on the account until you activate it.

God does want the world to be saved / that no one perishes, but understand, he gave us choice and he must honor that choice. I know the hyper-Calvinists hate it and will go off on this topic, but it is true. And that doesn't make one an Armenian anymore than not liking Star Trek makes one a Klingon.

A good place to read / pray over for confession is Psalm 51 and Psalm 38. There are others but (remembering the Old Covenant context for a few verses within no longer apply like God taking his Holy Spirit from us, for example) these stand out as the best in scripture for confessing personal sin to God (Psalm 51:4). And a good place to understand the nuts and bolts mechanics, methods, and doctrine on the matter of ongoing sin in the believer study Romans 7:14 - Romans 8:39.

 

Edited October 22, 2015 by JohnD

[*Zion*]

God does want the world to be saved / that no one perishes, but understand, he gave us choice and he must honor that choice. I know the hyper-Calvinists hate it and will go off on this topic, but it is true. And that doesn't make one an Armenian anymore than not liking Star Trek makes one a Klingon.

 

Sorry, the quote funciton is slowly driving me mad 

I loved your response brother, I just couldn't figure out what you meant by the above in bold.  Could you explain please?  I just couldn't get the analogy lol.  Thanks