Dr. Ray Pritchard Christian Blog and Commentary

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Crumbs from the Master's Table

  • Dr. Ray Pritchard
    Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries, an Internet-based ministry serving Christians in 225 countries. He is the author of 29 books, including Stealth Attack, Fire and Rain,… More
  • Published Feb 28, 2018

“Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table” (Matthew 15:27).

Everyone knows how this works. Dogs hang around the dinner table hoping someone will throw them a scrap. After the family eats, the dogs get the leftovers.

Dogs may be dogs, but they get fed.

This desperate Canaanite woman is asking for “crumbs” of grace that will heal her daughter. She accepts her position, admits her need, agrees with Jesus, and never gives up. That leads to the remarkable end of the story in verse 28:

“Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.”

 When Jesus said, “Great is your faith,” he used a Greek word whose root is “mega.” He was saying, “Woman, you have Mega-faith.” This is the only time Jesus used this Greek word to describe someone’s faith.

Isn’t it wonderful that the one example of mega-faith comes from a woman who was a descendant of the hated Canaanites? She’s the last person you would expect to receive a miracle from our Lord. With everything against her, she comes again and again until she receives the desire of her heart. The lesson here isn’t just about the value of perseverance (though that certainly applies). It’s just as much about coming to Jesus based on grace alone.

What we need, we don’t deserve.
What we deserve, we don’t want.

You can have “mega-faith” if you will come to Jesus on his terms and never give up.

 Lord Jesus, you have given me so much. Enlarge my heart so that I may trust you more today than yesterday.  Amen.

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