PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 15:21-28
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Matthew 15:26)
I find what Jesus says troubling, comparing this woman and her daughter to ‘dogs’.
But I wonder if we are not getting the whole story here.
Then as now, Canaanites and Jews didn’t get alone; they likely called each other ‘dogs’.
I suspect Jesus is turning her own thoughts and words against her, to convict her.
Her response shows that she is humbled, she realizes her sin and misery and need.
We must all reach this point of humility, and come to Jesus on our knees in honesty.
Jesus wants to help us – and all people – but he can’t when we’re so full of ourselves.
He will expose our arrogance, our self-confidence, our judgmental spirits.
He will show us how our attitudes towards God and others hinder us and hurt others.
His rebuke may seem sharp, but he knows our hearts, and he wants to help us.
Where do I need to admit unhealthy and unholy attitudes and desires?
Where do I think or act as if I am better than others?
Where do I demean others with my criticisms or even name calling?
Jesus can’t help us until we are emptied of self, and ready to admit our need for mercy.
PRAYER
Lord, show me where I am judgmental, critical, arrogant, full of myself. May I be humbled, that I may receive your mercy!
What humility! What a test of faith in the face of rejection. What a lesson for the disciples and for us! What perseverance too – driven by a full trust that yes Jesus can heal me! For her to place herself at the level of a dog – totally humbling – yet we should not think that we are any better. We too do not deserve God’s grace. We are not God’s chosen people by way of ancestry in Abraham – we are bought with a price and now we belong to Jesus who rescued us. He gave that Canaanite women – a gentile – what she asked because she had faith. She trusted Jesus fully. That’s what matters! Lord let me not judge but receive all – who knows who will respond to you – I don’t but you do!
Jesus is the Bread of Life. The Jews let the bread fall from the table but this gentile woman is ready to receive. Persistent. Christ did not answer her at first and the disciples wanted to send her away. Yet her persistence was commended by the Lord Himself. Many those words Jesus told this woman be the words He tells about you and me.
1 Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus just now, just now.
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus just now!
2 Only trust him, …
3 He is able, …
4 He will save you, …