Accordingly, Jesus travels to a Canaanite area and uses metaphors in order to get His point across so that readers may understand the Word of God better. Jesus tests a woman’s faith while simultaneously clarifying His mission of universal salvation. Contrary, Jesus first asserts that He is the Jewish Messiah and He came for only the Israelites (The New American Bible Revised Edition, Matt. 15.24) Jesus calls to mind Old Testament thought to enhance what is already established in order to develop His new message. He is setting up His transition to the new message by testing the woman about the old view of seclusive thinking. To which, the woman recognizes Israel’s privilege for God’s grace, yet still asks that God’s mercy may be given to a gentile. When the Canaanite woman pleads to Jesus to heal her daughter, He tells her that “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (Matt. 15.25-26). Likewise, the children represent the blessed Israelites who are historically first in the eyes of God and the dogs are compared to the cursed Canaanites. The woman understands this by …show more content…
From the faith account of a Canaanite woman, the Kingdom of God is understood to now be inclusive towards all peoples, Jews or Gentiles. Historically the Israelites are the Chosen People. But because of Jesus, the woman who is thought to be cursed is called to holiness. In a Gentile land, the Jewish Messiah meets a Gentile woman who proves to have greater faith than the Jews which reject Him. Additionally, the Redeemer is willing to give mercy to those who seek it. By reading more passages of the Gospel of Matthew, readers may discover more truths to learn and develop