In Matthew 15:22-28, a story is recorded about a Gentile woman who had a daughter that was terribly tormented by an evil spirit. She came to Jesus for help, but Jesus did not appear to be willing to help with her problem. She cried out in verse 22, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." At first, Jesus did not respond to her at all! She kept on diligently asking. He finally said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." My loose interpretation of that is, "Your background is wrong and you don't qualify as yet for my help!" Verse 25 says she worshipped him saying "Lord, help me."

Jesus responds in verse 26 by saying that, "It is not meet to take the children's bread (healing) and cast it to the dogs." In other words, "You are a Gentile dog and you cannot have the healing power that belongs to the people of Israel." She said, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table."

Literally, this woman has said, "Jesus, your right and your theology is correct. But I'm not here to discuss theology with you. I'm her to get help for my daughter! I may be a Gentile, but I know this: You are my master and the only one who can help my little girl get free. So let's discuss the theology later, and help my little girl now!"

I'm sure that Jesus smiled as he told her, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Her daughter was healed that very hour. It's obvious that Jesus responds to persistent, diligent faith! Don't ever give up. Keep pressing into Jesus for all that His Word has said belongs to us! Have a great week.

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