This woman was not an Israelite; ethnically, she was a Canaanite woman, and therefore, looked down upon in Jewish society. Jesus notes as much to her, not to demean her, but to almost say “you know I’m Jewish and you’re not, so why are you coming to me for help?” She doesn’t seem to care, and throws herself at His mercy, displaying an understanding of faith beyond the parameters of Judaism. She trusts that He is God’s Son, and begs for His help, even if it means she has to wait until He’s come first to the Jews.

We are her. We are (mostly) not ethnically Jewish; we are, what the Bible would call, Gentiles. Yet the gospel is for us, just as much as it is for the Jews to whom Jesus came, and she demonstrates this truth. Jesus was sent to all people, including us! Just as we have now received the gospel, we can bring the good news anywhere this life takes us.