The faith of the Canaanite woman

“First let the children eat all they want,” He told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Mark 7:27-28
This is a passage of Scripture that many people find a little confusing. Is Jesus calling this woman a dog? And what is it about her reponse that demonstrates faith (Matt. 15:28)?
First of all, the word Jesus (and the woman) uses here is not the same as that in Phil. 3:2 and Rev. 22:15. There it describes an adult dog, vicious and dangerous. Here the word would be more properly translated ‘puppy’. It is a household pet dog, and thus used as a term of endearment, but still making the distinction (at that time) between the Jews, as the children of the father, and the Gentiles, as the household pets – not eligible for status in the home, but receiving blessings of being there nonetheless.
This woman had come to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter, who was afflicted by an evil spirit. Initially Jesus did not respond when she called to Him. He tells her, ‘First let the children eat all they want.’ His ministry was firstly to the Jews, but after they rejected Him, the door was then opened to the Gentiles. The woman realised that she did not have any claim to Jesus, but showed that she was content to settle for the crumbs – whatever He could give her, that the children had said ‘Pass’ on. She still believed there was provision for her. And she understood the allegory that Jesus was using, and responds using it. She was on the same wavelength. All of this demonstrated her faith, which was rewarded (Mark 7:29-30).