WHAT DOES JESUS KNOW ABOUT DOG FOOD?
Faith.
Importunity in Prayer, Perseverance, Humility, Courage…
[Matthew
15:21-28]
21 Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22
And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started
shouting, 'Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a
devil.' 23 But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and
pleaded with him, saying, 'Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting
after us.' 24 He said in reply, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House
of Israel.' 25 But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. 'Lord,'
she said, 'help me.' 26 He replied, 'It is not fair to take the children's food
and throw it to little dogs.' 27 She retorted, 'Ah yes, Lord; but even little
dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table.' 28 Then Jesus
answered her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted.' And
from that moment her daughter was well again.
Characters:
·
Jesus.
·
The
Canaanite Woman.
·
Her
Daughter. The Disciples.
·
The
Children.
·
The Dogs
·
You…
·
Me...
JESUS had left the Jewish territory, his comfort zone and
had gone to the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon. I would imagine he expected to
meet non-Jews but not quite in this manner. This WOMAN calls
him by his Messianic Title – Lord Son of David. She knows who he is,
better than the people he came for. She believes in his power to heal
and deliver her DAUGHTER. She made the diagnosis herself –
demonic possession – and recognises Jesus authority over evil spirits. Wow. I
do not blame Jesus for being shocked! Her Faith is demonstrated by her humble,
earnest plea: “take pity upon me”.
Jesus ignored her. Even I am shocked by his not being very nice this
time. The DISCIPLES wade in, not because they have compassion on
her, but because she is shouting and annoying them. Jesus once again,
refused. He is not going to waste his salvation on a pagan. His Mission was
specific, and for a specific people. But the woman persisted, this time bowing
low before him, calling him Lord again, and asking his help yet still.
This time, Jesus uses a really derogatory analogy to explain to the
woman that she was seeking what she is not qualified to receive. As a DOG
is to his owners’ CHILDREN, so is she to the heirs of salvation.
Children eat food, dogs eat dog food, and whatever that is, it certainly is not
as nice as McDonald’s Happy Meal.
She is not deterred by all that, and she is not taking no for an
answer. She loves her daughter and since no earthly doctor can heal her
infirmity, Jesus is her last Bus Stop. Lord, I know I do not qualify; if
you like call me a dog or a chicken or a cat. At least you did not call me a
pig or a goat. I am still a household pet and so I can eat the children’s
scrap. So give me the food please, you can drop it on the floor and I could not
care less as long as it comes from you.
QUESTIONS
1.
Did Jesus learn from this Woman an important lesson
that has brought salvation to YOU and ME?
2.
Do I exclude people on grounds of difference?
3.
Is my compassion unconditional?
4.
This woman prayed this much for her daughter. Do I
even pray for myself? For my relatives, friends, neighbours, the sick, the
poor, everyone?
5.
How strong is my faith?
6.
Do I see Jesus as a close friend who can help me
always and in every situation?
7.
Do I push people away?
8.
Do I abuse life’s privileges/power or do I use my
position to bring the love of God to all the people I encounter?
9.
What are those demons in me that I must pester
Jesus until he casts them out?
10.
Do I invite Jesus to heal me everyday?
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