Read Matthew 15:21-28
This tongue-in-cheek banter between Jesus and this Canaanite woman is priceless. Jesus is as much teaching his disciples here as he is healing this woman’s daughter. After Jesus’ latest interaction with the scribes and Pharisees Jesus headed to the northern most region in which we know he ever traveled. In this community there were certainly more Gentiles than Jews.
Jesus’ disciples must have been wondering why they were headed to this area (Phoenicia). It certainly was not on the way to anywhere except the Mediterranean Sea. Yet this woman called out in faith on behalf of her daughter.
Once Jesus began his sarcastic response, she played right along with him. Meanwhile the disciples’ jaws must have been dropped open. Then the punch line: woman, you have great faith! Your daughter is healed.
This conversation about crumbs of food falling from the table is sandwiched right between Matthew’s description of the miraculous healing of 5,000 and then 4,000. The message: there is enough of Jesus and gospel to go around. For Israel, for the disciples, and even the Gentile peoples. Where people have faith, Jesus’ power is displayed to the glory of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment