THE SYRO-PHOENICIAN (CANAANITE) WOMAN

Although we do not know the name of the Syro-Phoenician woman, her faith is what she is most known for. By the time Jesus made his way to the region of Tyre and Sidon, his reputation and miraculous works were well known. However, as my Women's Study Bible states, "few in Tyre and Sidon would cross cultural and religious lines to approach Jesus." The Jews of that day and age did not associate themselves with Gentiles, or Canaanites, and it certainly was not good social etiquite for a woman to approach a group of men as she did. But this particular woman broke all of the religious and social barriers. The Syro-Pheonician(Canaanite) woman met Jesus and his disciples in the street and called out to Jesus to heal her severely demon-possessed daughter. And of course being who she was, the disciples were quick to get rid of her. In my opinion, it seems that the disciples were more concerned about how this woman would effect their reputation rather than the service they could have done for her and her soul. However, Jesus knew the woman's heart and could see her great faith. This woman believed in the name and works of Jesus before seeing any miraculous works. This woman believed in Him and his might before he preached anything. This is the faith that Jesus seeks from us everyday. In Hebrews 11:1 it says "Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Syro-Phoenician woman believed before she had ever seen. We as Christians should have the same attitude. Another point that one can get from this is not look past the social barriers of today's day and age and look at the person's soul instead. "Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight", really does sum up how Jesus views everyone in the world. As Christians, we too should look past how people look or what they do in their spare time, and see the soul that is underneath it all. That is really what matters the most.