Verse for meditation: “Yes Lord” she said, ‘but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table’ Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted’. And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matt. 15:27, 28).
God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34). God is the God of all. The faith in God is beyond human boundaries. He attracts everyone towards him without any difference whether a person is Jew or Greek (Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:12). This aspect inspires the Christian church for mission.
1. Cyrus: The anointed one of God (Is.44:28-45:8).
Cyrus II is the son of Cambyses I. He became the emperor of Anshan in 559 BC. He established the vast Persian Empire. His time was 559 – 530 BC. He was a believer of Sowrastra (Parsi) religion. He has an important place in the Biblical prophecy (Is. 44:25, 44:28, 45:1-13) and history (2 Chro. 36:22; Ezr. 1:1; Dan. 1:21, 10:1). Cyrus who conquered Mede and Ludiya also conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Following this, Judea continued to be a province of the kingdom of Persia for two centuries. He was merciful to the captives of Judah and allowed them to go to their mother land and rebuild the temple. Isaiah has called Cyrus as ‘the anointed one of Jehovah’ or Messiah and the shepherd of Jehovah (Is. 45:1, 44:28). He has given a declaration for the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem and also gave all helps for the work (Ezr. 3:7) and returned all the utensils of the temple (Ezr. 1:7,8). The Book of Daniel also depicts King Cyrus as a good emperor (Dan. 1:21, 6:28; 10:1). The ways of God are indescribable. King Cyrus is a proof to say that God will use any person for the work of His glorious re - establishment and redemption.
2. The Faith of the Canaanite woman (Matt. 15:21-28)
Matthew 15:21-28 explains the incident of a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus Christ expecting the healing of her daughter. We find that Jesus appreciated her faith and said, “Woman you have great faith”. Canaan was the fourth son of Ham and the grandson of Noah. Noah cursed Canaan (Gen.9:18, 22 – 27). The borders of the land of Canaan reached from Sidon toward Gerar as for as Gaza, and then toward Sodom - Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim as far as Lasha (Gen. 10:19, 12:5, 13:12; Num. 13:17 – 21, 34:1,2). The Jewish people generally considered the Canaanites as out castes and cursed. The 11 tribes which settled in Phoenicia, especially in Syria – Palestine were the descendents of Canaan (Gen. 10:11-19). A woman came to Jesus requesting her daughter’s healing at this place. Mark 7: 24-30 calls this lady as a ‘Greek woman’. Phoenicians called themselves as Canaanites. During the time of the ministry of Jesus, Penicia (Phoenicia) including Tyre and Sidon was part of the Roman province of Syria. Therefore people of this place were also called Syrio – Phoenicians. Christ accepted the faith of this Greek woman also. We must be prepared to see the faith in God of the other communities also without any reservation.
3. Faith of Cornelius (Acts 10:24-33)
Cornelius was a Roman centurion at Caesarea. But he was practicing Jewish religion through prayers and gift to the poor. God accepted the spiritual search of this man. God gave him a vision to invite Peter and hear the gospel about Jesus Christ. As he was listening to the preaching of Peter the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius. Thus, Peter baptized him without any disagreements arising from the people. The repentance of Cornelius is famous as the first non-Jewish who was attracted to the church of God through faith in the gospel of the grace of God. Following this, a non-Jewish church has born in this place. Peter explains the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit among these people during the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:7-11).