Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Matthew 15: 21-28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not say a word in answer to her.
His disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Many will read this passage and come away seeing bigotry in our Lords response. It appears that he makes a distinction between Israelites and Canaanites. It appears that he holds the prejudice of the Jews towards the Canaanites. This is exactly what his disciples were feeling when they asked him to send the woman away.

This is another passage where the true meaning is lost when translated from the original Greek. Jesus did not call this woman a dog. The word used is better translated as puppy. He is toying with the woman to make a point to his disciples. Why should he help this woman, he was sent to save only the Israelites. He would help this woman because she had faith that he would.

The Jews thought that the messiah was only for the Jews. God provided the Messiah for the entire human race. In doing this God extended his covenant from one couple, to one family, to one nation, to every people. There are not favored and puppies. There are only children. God will love and provide for every one of his children who has faith, who has trust in him to do so.