THE POWER OF GREAT FAITH

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. – Matthew 15:28

Jesus went out of His way to leave the land of Israel for the only known time in His ministry. He went to Tyre and Sidon, and the only thing we know Jesus did there was meet with a woman whose daughter was demon possessed.

The woman asked Jesus to deliver her daughter from torment, but Jesus began by putting the woman off. Yet, she seemed to push back against any apparent reluctance in Jesus, she persisted, humbly yet boldly refusing to take "no" for an answer. Jesus was impressed by her determination and he answered the woman with this encouraging word: O woman, great is your faith! 

What makes this statement even more striking is that only two people in the Gospels are praised by Jesus for their “great faith” and both were Gentiles. Faith is not bound by background, status, or nationality. Great faith can be found in the most unexpected places. 

This unlikely woman’s faith was so great that she had her prayer answered, and Jesus delivered her daughter from demonic torment. 

What made her faith remarkable? 

• Her faith was unshaken by delay, even when Jesus appeared reluctant, she didn’t walk away. She held on, believing He could and would help.  

• Her faith was great because it had been tested so severely. It’s hard to think of a greater test than having a demon-possessed child; but her faith was also tried by the seeming indifference or coldness of Jesus.

• Her faith was great because it was clever. She turned Jesus’ word inside-out and made what might have been taken as an insult as a door open for faith.

• Her faith was great because it would not give up. She did not stop until she got what she needed from Jesus.

Interestingly, Jesus did nothing else in Tyre and Sidon, His only divine appointment was to meet the needs of this woman of faith and her afflicted daughter. It was the woman’s ‘kairos’ moment. Her faith moved Jesus and He not only healed her daughter, but He did so immediately, something she had not even asked for. That’s how much Jesus loves and cares and how much He will do for all those who come to Him with great faith. 

Is there an area where you’ve been praying without an answer? 

Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith to be bold, persistent and trust Him even when it seems God is silent. He will surely come through for you and meet you at the very point of your needs.

Stay blessed,

Pastor Ranti Orioke