In this story, a woman shouts out, begging Jesus for help, and Jesus ignores her. His disciples go a step further and tell Jesus to send her away. Sometimes the need of another is disruptive to our peace or our plans. Sometimes we would rather ignore the person who is asking for help than to risk being inconvenienced or being taken advantage of.
Yet the woman’s persistence convinces Jesus to heal her daughter and this seems to be a turning point in his ministry. It is after this interaction in Matthew that Jesus expands his mission to include those outside the Jewish faith. We never know when a disruption in life will transform us. We never know who God might be working through.
When an opportunity to help someone presents itself, how might you be more open to what God is asking of you? How can you be a bearer of the hope, mercy, and abundant life that Jesus offers?
In prayer, ask the Spirit to give you eyes to see the needs of others and a heart that moves you into action.
