I see it differently Steven, as we see the courageous hope of an outsider approaching in humility one who she perceives as a true man of God.
And Jesus in His humanity walking in “faith” responds in humility to the “Truth” His own “Essence”, to the truth within her statement, in that she is also a child of God.
And in doing so illuminates our understanding of His Way, the Path of spiritual growth (Enlightenment) that leads to eternal life. His Path/way is different for all of us but in essence it is the same, as we all walk in our fallen human nature as He did in “faith”, while our intellect is enlighten as our hearts are transformed.
Is it not our truthful response in humility before His inviolate Word (Truth) that leads us to ‘The way’ that wells up into eternal life? 

Perhaps you may consider continuing this theme  
https://acireland.ie/a-cosmic-spirituality-for-a-new-theology-teilhard-de-chardins-evolutionary-journey-to-omega-christ/#comment-10074



kevin your brother
In Christ