The Exorcist's Bestiary

Guest Author:
Amity Zenz of The Exorcist Bestiary Podcast

Why on earth would Jesus call a woman a dog and refuse to help her? I ask this question whenever I stumble upon that complicated and confusing passage in Matthew 15.

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

How is this story of Jesus even in the Bible? Jesus, whose number one defining character trait was love? Jesus, whose mission statement was to heal, help, and deliver? How could THIS Jesus turn away a desperate woman in need? I never had an answer that satisfied me until I learned more about deliverance ministry.

It’s important to understand that it was no mere illness this woman sought healing for. She was desperate to have her daughter healed of a demon. This is a bit of a complicated scenario because the battle with a demon doesn’t necessarily end when it’s cast out. A demon holds space in a person’s heart and mind because there is open space for it. After deliverance, that space needs to be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. If that filling doesn’t take place, that demon has every liberty to go get 7 of its nasty friends and come right back, leaving the afflicted in a much worse spot than before (Matthew 12:43-45). With this in mind, this passage can be read in a whole new light: This is a Canaanite woman—an outsider to Jesus religiously and ethnically, who was likely not brought up with the knowledge of the one true God.

While she may believe in the power of Jesus to heal, does she believe in the power of Jesus as God? Will she pass that belief on to her daughter? If a demon is cast out from her daughter will this Canaanite woman equip her with the right tools to replace the spirit of evil with the Spirit of the Lord? If the answer is no, it is not an act of goodness or mercy to cast that demon out, lest it bolster strength and return.

A “healing” at this moment will not necessarily grant long-term peace, relief, or closeness to God. Therefore, Jesus tells this woman, “No. I came to heal my own children, and you are not one of them.” (I’m paraphrasing of course.) But this response almost seems like a challenge from Jesus. It almost seems like he is inviting this woman to, “Prove me wrong. Show me your belief. Prove to me that you can guide your daughter beyond my single moment of healing.” And she did. And not only did this woman prove her faith, but Jesus commended her for having GREAT faith—a kind of faith that Jesus only commends two Gentile believers for in the Gospel of Matthew. Only after that confirmation and affirmation does Jesus grant the woman’s plea.

Perhaps Jesus was opposed to this woman for some other reason and maybe he was simply worn down by her continued begging. However, I find it much more consistent with Jesus’ character throughout the gospels for Jesus to care enough about this woman, her daughter, and their long-term spiritual health and healing to be careful and considerate with the way he delivered them. We would do good to remember this when we deliver others.