Put off by all the begging

"Tell her to leave" they said, "She is bothering us with all of her begging." Mt. 15: 23

Oh those disciples! From where they are sitting Jesus is too good, too important to be bothered. Come to think of it, they are getting a little annoyed with all of this begging. Just go away! But Jesus, seemingly ignoring her, is smiling on the inside. Beckoning her to continue her petition. He knows her heart and it is in DESPERATE need of a savior. Oddly, He strengthens her faith by telling her "I can't help you, I was sent to help my people."

She could have responded the way I would. Guarded. "I knew it! You don't care the way you claim to. All this talk of compassion and the sick needing the doctor and here you are rejecting me! I knew you were too good to be true, you Jesus, are just like everyone else." But instead she shows her confidence in Jesus and how small she truly is and says, "Even the dogs get the crumbs."

There are three sets of eyes here: The disciples-"We are here with the savior, we have no need, get rid of the pests." Jesus-"I am about my Father's work, strengthening the weak in faith." The Gentile woman- "Even a dog gets crumbs from the master's table."

Who is the weak in faith?

(Matthew 15:21-28 "The Faith of a Gentile Woman")