What is Great Faith?
August 16, 2026. Matthew 15:21-28. Pastor Leslie Nolin
Jesus has just left the region of Gennesaret where they had landed after crossing the Sea of Galilee. He had been confronted by the Pharisees about breaking age-old traditions. Jesus rebuked them for dishonouring God for the sake of traditions saying that it was not what was taken into the body that defiled them but what came out of their hearts.
The disciples said to Jesus that the Pharisees were offended by this teaching, Jesus' answer to the disciples, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them;...” (Matt. 15:13; see the parable of wheat and weeds in Matt. 13:24-30, 26-43). Even here, Jesus is saying that at the end days, the weeds or people planted by the enemy will be rooted up and burned.
Jesus chose to travel to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman, seen as unclean, enemies of Israel, cries out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” It is interesting to note that, even outside Israel's border, this woman from a race of people who are considered Israel's enemy recognized the deity of Jesus as the Messiah (Isa. 11:1-2, fulfilled Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:32).
Israel has rejected Jesus as the Messiah, but here, in the region of Tyre and Sidon, He is recognized. Earlier, Jesus had rebuked the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done because they did not repent, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” (Matt. 11:21).
Here He is, recognized in this very region. Jesus appears to ignore her, the disciples take this as a clue to ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus then replies, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” (This same command was given to the disciples, Matt. 10:6) The Canaanite woman, considered unclean by Jewish standards as a Gentile, does not give up but worships Jesus and continues unfazed, “Lord, help me!” (*This is a prayer we can all use in any situation).
When God directed Samuel to choose David, He said not to look at the outward appearance but to look at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Saul was a man who was a head taller than any others (1 Sam. 10:23), he symbolized the worldly qualities of a leader. Israel had demanded a king like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:5), he was found to be proud and was rejected by God.
God instead chose David, the youngest of seven brothers who was not even considered when the older brothers were brought before Samuel to be anointed as king. It was only after the six brothers were rejected that David was brought forth.
God knows the heart, this Canaanite woman was tested and came through with God's approval. Just as the sinner would not look up to heaven, but prayed, “God, have mercy on me a sinner.” (Lk. 18:13).
This woman recognized she was not worthy to receive help from Jesus, she did not refute her condition but said, “Yet, even bless me as an unworthy dog.” Her faith was not based on her value but in spite of her lack of value.
When Jacob was returning home, Jacob wrestled with God and said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Gen. 32:26).
Jesus said, “Ask (keep asking, beg), and it will be given you. Seek (keep seeking in order to find), and you will find. Knock (keep knocking until the door opens), and it will be opened for you.” (Matt. 7:7).
Luke 18 records a parable Jesus gives about a woman who continually pesters an unjust judge until he finally gives in for no other reason than to get rid of her, he provides the justice she needs.
Jesus says, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8).
Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13, “...if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.”
I ask the question, What Is Great Faith?
The Canaanite women recognized her unworthiness but this did not stop her. She was humble and knew she did not have anything to offer that would make her acceptable but this did not stop her. Jesus answers her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
Jesus only commends one other person, also a Gentile Roman centurion (Matt. 8:10).
I don't think I could ever answer the question adequately but I hope I have caused us to be inquisitive enough to ask ourselves, would God commend us in the same way?
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