Encountering Outsiders (Matthew 15:21-28)

What does it mean to encounter outsiders? A desperate mom approaches Jesus to free her daughter from the demonic. He is in Gentile territory. She is a Canaanite, a Syrophoenician, a Gentile. She is outside the covenant and the covenant people. The disciples want Jesus to send her away... they are on retreat. Jesus even refers to her as a dog to test her faith. She calls Him Lord three times and knows He is the Son of David, the Messiah. She understands that even a crumb from the Master’s table is worth more than the bounty of any banquet or feast. Jesus declares she has great faith!