Matthew 15:27-28 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
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 justly famous story, and many have commented on it. One thing I don’t recall hearing about it, though, is the woman’s humility. It is astounding that she accepted the designation of “little dog” in order to get Jesus to help her. As Jesus said, her faith was excellent, because it identified Him as the One who could help her, and she considered herself as nothing before Him. It is all the more impressive that she responded as she did when she was a Canaanite, and Jesus was a Jew. Friction between those groups had been going on ever since Joshua – which is interesting, since he and Jesus shared the same name. The other thing that hits me, which others have also commented on, is how fully Jesus was focused on His immediate task. His first response to her, quoted in verse 24, seems shockingly cold to us today: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He wasn’t going to let even something clearly good – helping this woman – get in the way of what the Father had sent Him to do. However, the woman’s remarkable faith and humility got through to Him even so. Later, when some Greeks came inquiring about Him, (John 12:20-24) He knew He was about to be arrested and crucified for all mankind, extending God’s salvation far past the Jews to whom He was sent initially. We need to be as focused on what God desires of us as fully as Jesus was, and at the same time be open to exceptions, just as Jesus was in this story. It has always been very interesting that the two times Jesus explicitly commended people for their faith, (here and the centurion with the sick servant in Matthew 8) those commended were Gentiles. Even those who weren’t initially invited “got in on the party” by their faith. It all comes down to letting God be God, and following wherever and however He leads.

God is the judge of how sharp my focus has been. In retrospect, it seems like it has been very blurry at times! I have stayed where the Lord sent me, but sometimes all I seemed to be giving was my physical presence. I have no idea how many years the Lord intends to keep using me on this earth, but my focus needs to keep getting sharper. As a photographer, I can really grasp that! I have software that can help correct focus after the fact, but the results are never as good as when I am both zeroed in and steady to begin with. I want to be doing what God desires of me, but not be so fixated on what I understand that I don’t recognize His appointments for me. Today I’ll be working on grouping and labeling pictures for my photo show in just over a week, but I’ll also be encountering people God sends my way. I need to let go of my agenda and be fully committed and obedient to my Lord, for His glory alone.

Father, this went differently than I thought it would when I started. Thank You for getting past my preconceptions. Thank You also for the reminder about humility. May I indeed be fully humble before You so that I may be fully available to You for however You want to use me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!