21 Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”

23 But he answered her not a word.

His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”

24 But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25 But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

26 But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

27 But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Matthew 15:21-28 - World English Bible

What kind of a Messiah was Jesus? Was he just for the people of Israel or for everyone? While we find this question almost rhetorical (of course he was for everyone), the readers of Matthew's gospel had second thoughts. After all, in 10:5-6, he said, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” In this gospel, he leaned toward exclusivity, only serving his own people.

Yet, Jesus traveled into Gentile territory and his reputation preceded him. There, a pagan woman confronted him, seeking relief for her daughter from a demon. Now, the question came into play: what sort of Messiah was he? He came for the lost sheep of Israel, but that caveat did not deter her. He even made a remark that could be seen as an insult; the bread from the table of God's children (the Israelites) should not be thrown to the dogs (the pagans). But even the sting of the remark did not stop her, for she flipped the term “dog” from a very derogatory slur to one of a pet, a favorite in the household who ate from the scraps of the table. She had great faith, even in the face of perceived prejudice. So, he granted her request.

How do you face insults, with anger or with faith?