WHOA, AND WOW
Was Jesus ever just obviously happy? Well, there was this one time...
“A centurion’s highly-regarded slave was sick, about to die. He sent some Jewish elders, asking Jesus to come and save his slave’s life. Jesus started with them; but not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof; but just say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under myself. I say “Go!” and he goes, “Come!” and he comes, “Do this!” and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, He was amazed, and said, ‘Not even in Israel have I found such great faith.’” -Luke
Jesus was “amazed,” but the original word was stronger. He marveled. He was astonished, stunned, and staggered—eyes and mouth wide open. Jesus was stopped in His tracks. But by what? By “great faith.”
The centurion had grasped that Jesus had spiritual authority. And soldiers know authority. Orders are followed. Those with authority command things; and those things happen. “Just say the word, Jesus.” Being confident in Jesus makes Him very happy.
On another occasion, Jesus had a most unusual exchange with a distressed mother. What can you make of this?
“Jesus withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. A woman from that region began to cry out, ‘Have mercy, Lord; my daughter is severely demon-possessed,’ but He did not answer her. His disciples urged, ‘Send her away; she keeps shouting!’ But He answered, ‘I was sent only to Israel.’ But she began to bow before Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ Yet He answered, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus said, ‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed.” -Matthew
It’s hard to know how to begin to understand this strange back-and-forth. At first, Jesus ignores her, then refuses to help her, then likens her to a dog, then praises her and grants her request. What can be made of this? I think it’s a beautiful secret, but it’s a little subtle.
Jesus had been busy around Galilee, but suddenly He whisks the disciples out of the country to Tyre and Sidon. After meeting just this one mother, they return to Galilee—and pick up right where they left off. The entire trek was solely to meet her! Jesus must have known who was up north in Sidon, what she needed, and what sort of heart she had. And I think He wanted to see her, not just to help her, but to share joy with her!
I see your puzzled looks. Let me try to explain. I hope each of you has had that certain sort of friend—the kind who gets your jokes, never takes you the wrong way, and always falls right into comfortable banter with you, even if it’s been years. This entire scene has that feel to me—one of camaraderie.
At first, Jesus won’t answer. Jewish men really didn’t talk to foreign women—it just wasn’t done. (But He was here only for her. It’s like a giant secret. Jesus may have been almost bursting!) The slow-to-learn disciples, also Jewish men, ask Him to get rid of her. When she overhears His answer (as I suspect He wanted her to), she is undeterred. Jesus is clearly Lord, and He simply must help her.
When Jesus finally speaks to her, it seems insulting. But if He was really calling her a dog, or if He felt she was a dog, then why come all this way? It’s her response that says it all. She’s not insulted, she plays along! Yes, Lord! But! But!!—You and I both know I’m only asking You for crumbs.
The faith, the humility, and the humanity here—odd though it is, I love it. And I really think Jesus did, too. She, like the centurion, had great faith. These two happy examples show the path straight to the heart of Jesus. Simply believe in Him, as He has said.