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One day, Jesus and the faithful twelve decided they needed a few days of rest and a change of scenery. Since they were in northern Palestine, they agreed to travel west to the Mediterranean Sea and view the impressive sights of the Tyre and Sidon area, not far from the present-day city of Beirut. The notable attraction there was the famed cedar-covered mountains, where the tall and rugged trees grew that were used in the construction of large ships and impressive buildings. Some of these giant cedars, often reaching heights of seventy or eighty feet, had been used by Solomon in building the first Jerusalem temple in the tenth century, and again by Zerubbabel in the fifth century for the second temple.

The region would be a pleasant haven where they could relax and enjoy a change of pace and watch the world-famous Sidonian woodcutters at work while being soothed by the warm, soft breeze off the Mediterranean. They were especially attracted here because Tyre and Sidon were non-Jewish cities and they could walk anonymously through the streets without the constant press of people begging for cures. With high hopes of reviving their weary bodies and spirits, they arrived at the site of their rendezvous with the enchanted mountains and sea.

Immediately following their arrival, and without any warning, a Canaanite woman cried out at the top of her voice, seeking a cure for her daughter. The apostles were painfully surprised she recognized them in this Gentile territory. Simply ignoring her, they calmly continued on their way. They supposed she might follow them for a short distance, shouting her request before eventually giving up.

It soon became evident this woman could not be dissuaded. She followed wherever they went with her high-pitched pleadings that began to tighten their already-taut nerves -- nerves they had come there to soothe.

This woman was no ordinary miracle-beggar, for not only did she refuse to leave, but she intelligently addressed Jesus by the messianic titles of "Lord" and "Son of David." Many native Israelites did not have that depth of knowledge about Jesus but often simply recognized him as a powerful and generous man. This Canaanite woman, by contrast, displayed a rare combination of informed insight and dogged perseverance.

She had diagnosed her daughter's illness as devil possession and had somehow discovered the best possible person to affect a cure. It appeared that she was willing to stop at nothing short of a miracle. She realized her persistence would certainly expose her to harsh rebuffs, but she knew she could not afford to lose her temper if she truly wanted to acquire healing for her daughter.

Following a heated discussion among themselves, the apostles practically commanded Jesus "to get rid of her" because her cries and screams were driving them crazy. They reminded him that his mission was to the lost sheep of Israel; she was a foreigner. Besides, they were on vacation.

Following another series of high-pitched entreaties from the Canaanite and louder grumblings from the apostles, Jesus abruptly turned and sternly told her that since she was not an Israelite she should shut up and leave them alone. He might as well have said nothing, for she persistently pushed closer and continued her faith-inspired importunings for a miraculous cure of her child. She then bowed reverently in his honor and pathetically pleaded, "Help me, Lord."

Jesus continued to ignore her emphatic requests for a cure, just as she ignored his request to leave them alone. Growing more impatient with her, Jesus moved from his initial silent indifference to more vocal anger. She was about to get a stinging insult that would test whether she was more concerned about her daughter's cure or retaining her own personal pride. "It's not right," Jesus defiantly shouted, "to take what belongs to the children and throw it to the dogs."

She was a respectable and intelligent Gentile woman -- not a dog -- and his crude statement could have caused her to curse Jesus and angrily stalk away, condemning him and telling others what a mean and ugly person he was. That rebellious response, however, never seemed to enter her mind. She wanted an immediate cure for her enslaved daughter, no matter what the personal cost might be.

The curt remark by Jesus amazed even the twelve, who had never heard him respond in such a brutal fashion to one seeking a cure. That type of language was normally reserved for the scribes and Pharisees who were constantly trying to embarrass him publicly. In fact, just before they had left on this trip to the west coast, Jesus had called them all "hypocrites" to their faces.

The Canaanite woman accepted the words like an eternal optimist, and like one accustomed to daily hurt. She turned the derogatory remark into a compliment, both for Jesus and herself. At least she must be a high-class dog, she noted, to be in the presence of Jesus. She likened herself to the sort of canine that lives in the home of royalty. Praising him further with the title "master," she happily consented to the role of a dog sitting on the marble floor during the regal banquet, reminding him that such a dog is entitled to at least some of the occasional crumbs that fall from the master's table.

Many times, Jesus had praised people who possessed deep faith and he promised to help those who persisted. Here was a faithful and persevering woman -- and he was giving her a most difficult time. Immediately, he retracted the "dog" epithet. For the first time, he called her "woman." His irritation with her was swiftly subsiding and, looking into her pleading eyes, he saw a gentle, loving soul. He silently admired her self-control, for she had offered no retaliation, nor did she even get angry.

Jesus now smiled at her and, with an enthusiastic compliment, praised her unwavering faith. With no further delay, he worked the blessed miracle that she had so insistently requested. Undoubtedly, the initial rejection and angry words from Jesus were soon forgotten as her daughter was cured. And that had been her only objective. The woman's little girl most probably had never heard of Jesus, but her mother's faith brought the Lord's healing into her life -- without the child personally requesting it!

The Canaanites had long been considered by others to be a sinful race and a godless people, but this valiant woman triumphed over the common image. What seemed to be a hopeless situation for her became completely successful simply because she could accept insult without anger. Had she returned the insult, all would have been lost. Her blemished reputation would have persisted and her little girl would not have been cured.

Don't assume the beggars who
Keep after you for help
Are no better than stray dogs
Who, when you kick, they yelp.

Next time someone hassles you
And stirs unseemly strife
Just remember, for some folks
It's really a dog's life.

Read Matthew 15