Even the dogs under the table.

Mark 7:25-30, But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

What amazing faith we see in this woman! She could easily have taken offense at what Jesus said, assuming that he was implying that she being a Gentile made her a dog. How many of us would have enough faith to continue? Her response recognizes that she accepts that Jesus was there first for his own people, and that she is still worthy of his mercy. We know that mustard seed faith is able to move mountains, and she clearly has it. Am I so easily offended that I miss an opportunity to walk in faith?

Give us your grace and mercy that we need not take offense when we can walk in faith!

ESV Lectionary