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Crumbs for dogs
Lesson for February 7, 2010 — Matthew 15:21-28
By Amy DueckmanDoes this story from Matthew seem a bit shocking? If we view Jesus as compassionate, loving and accepting of all people, his behavior in this encounter with the Canaanite woman seems out of character.
Dueckman
Let’s examine the setting. Jesus has gone to the region of Tyre and Sidon, the land of the Phoenicians who are enemies of the Jews. The woman from that region who approaches Jesus addresses him as “Son of David” — already recognizing him as Messiah — and immediately pleads for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. Her faith is obvious. We are used to stories of Jesus healing those who express great faith, but here he engages this woman in some verbal sparring, seemingly rebuffing her.
Whereas others who have requested Jesus’ help are Jewish, this woman is a Gentile. The disciples want to dismiss her, and Jesus tells her that he has not been sent to the Gentiles, but to the Jews, the “lost sheep of Israel.” He even goes so far as to compare her and her people to dogs, saying if the Jewish people are considered children at the table, outsiders such as the Canaanites are like dogs that mill around the edge of the table.
A woman’s persistence, courage
Yet this woman is persistent. She is quick with a comeback, saying that even dogs get the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. She is so hopeful that she is willing even to settle for the crumbs. I can see Jesus being amused at her willingness to debate with this clever answer; after all, he already knows he is going to help her. This is a test. Even when it seems Jesus is brushing her off, the woman continues in great faith with her request. She has nothing to lose, and her persistence pays off when Jesus tells her that her faith has been rewarded. Her daughter is healed.
Here the direction of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel of Matthew expands. Jesus’ mission will not be limited to Jews only, but is for the entire world. This Canaanite woman’s faith is an inspiration to us all. Whereas in Israel Jesus had been trying to convince people of his Messiahship, here in Gentile territory he finds a woman who already acclaims him as Messiah.
We are encouraged to be like this woman, coming to Christ with both firm belief and a sense of our own helplessness.
Amy Dueckman, a former staff writer for Mennonite Weekly Review, works for Canadian Mennonite and Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia and is a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C.
Comments
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He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Thank you for this commentary.
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