Mosaic Boston

A Canaanite woman begs Jesus to heal her sick daughter, and he responds by saying "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." What?! Did Jesus just call her a dog? What just happened? This text seems utterly incompatible with the character of Jesus. It seems shockingly intolerant. Are we missing something? However, the woman isn't offended and actually responds in such a way, that Jesus says "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire," and the woman's daughter was instantly healed. Jesus was impressed with this woman's humble chutzpah. She accepts Jesus' words with humility, but it's not a weak humility, it's a chutzpy humility. She exhibits an audacious, confident, brassy humility. It's extremely paradoxical, but humble chutzpah is the key to a great faith that unleashes the great power of God in our lives.