Little faith, great faith

A I read Jesus’ praise of the Canaanite woman, “Woman, your faith is great!” I wonder how the disciples felt.

Not just because they had asked Jesus to send her away, but because Jesus had said of them numerous times, “O you of little faith!”

In fact, the woman’s story is sandwiched by two stories of Jesus rebuking his disciples in this way. (Matthew 14:31, Matthew 16:8).

What was great about this woman’s faith?

Even when it seemed that Jesus was slow to respond, even though Jesus at first acted as though he didn’t care, she still believed in him. She believed in his goodness. And she believed that he would help.

It reminds me of the story Jesus told in Luke 18.

In Jesus’ story, a widow pleads with a judge who is corrupt and doesn’t want to help her, but because of her persistence, he helps her.

Jesus then contrasts that judge with our heavenly Father. Sometimes our Father seems slow to answer. Sometimes it seems as if he doesn’t care.

But he does care and he will help, if we’ll only be persistent in our faith and pray. But as Jesus said,

When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)

When we’re facing the storms of life, will he find faith?

When we’re facing Satanic attack, will Jesus find faith?

When we’re facing need, will he find faith?

When we’re facing injustice, will he find faith?

May Jesus say of us, “How great is your faith!”