Faith that Overcomes Disappointment

In Mark 7 Jesus traveled to the Gentile region of Tyre. While there he tried to keep a low profile, but the news about him spread and a woman boldly sought him out in the home where he was staying.

We don't know much about this woman. Did she have a husband or was she a widow? Did she come alone because no one else she knew believed in Jesus or wanted anything to do with this Jew?

In addition, she didn't bring her daughter with her, and we only read that she begged Jesus to drive out the demon, not that he should go with her to heal her daughter. What does this tell us about her faith?

In one of the only times Jesus denied someone who wasn't a religious leader testing him, Jesus told her that now was not the time for the Gentiles to enjoy God's favor. That wasn't to say that it couldn't happen some day, but he told her that at the moment she was on the outside of God's work.

The woman's faith only grew stronger in the midst of this let down. She believed that the one who could feed thousands with bread surely had some crumbs to spare for her daughter. Unlike those who begged in other situations, this woman humbled herself and reasserted her belief that Jesus was not only willing but able to grant her request. Jesus healed her daughter and showed that God honors faith wherever it may be found.

When our faith meets resistance or even disappointment, are we prepared to press in closer and to believe with even greater stubbornness in the power of God? As this woman believed that surely God had enough crumbs for her, let us believe that God is indeed able to set a table before us and to provide our daily bread.

Ed Cyzewski is the author of Coffeehouse Theology. He blogs at www.inamirrordimly.com.