Compassion On A Believing Outsider

Jesus' ministry was oriented toward the Jews. As they were God's covenant people it was only fitting that the announcement of a new covenant should come to them first. Taking the message to non-Jews would be beyond Christ's commission. Yet, in this one instance, Christ shows great compassion on a Canaanite woman, because her faith relied so completely on Christ. In healing her daughter, Christ shows us that some rules and guidelines can be set aside in the name of compassion. Compassion does not erase or bend God's laws, but does stretch the boundaries of principles for the sake of doing good.