21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile[e] woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”
23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”
24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”
26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
When I first read this I found it shocking. How could Jesus first ignore this lady, He then baiscally states that what He has to offer is for the children of Isreal only and implies that she is a dog. She then points out that even dogs get table scraps. Harsh?
I read several commentaries and considerd and prayed over understanding this. Heres what I came up with. It all has to do with perspective. This lady realized that Jesus is Lord. We are not entitled to what Jesus has to offer but because of who He is it is given to those who honor Him and who believe, and who are humble. According to a comentary I read, Jesus was also testing her faith. I see this as an illustration of a testing of faith. She is also a woman that makes her positon in soicety low on top of being a Canannaite which would kind of make her an outcast. Intersting how God uses women to illustrate His most intamate characteristics. This is truely an honor. The love and grace of God are what make us worthy. A comentary also compared this with the tax collector and the Pharasee. What do ya'll think?
23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”
24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”
26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
When I first read this I found it shocking. How could Jesus first ignore this lady, He then baiscally states that what He has to offer is for the children of Isreal only and implies that she is a dog. She then points out that even dogs get table scraps. Harsh?
I read several commentaries and considerd and prayed over understanding this. Heres what I came up with. It all has to do with perspective. This lady realized that Jesus is Lord. We are not entitled to what Jesus has to offer but because of who He is it is given to those who honor Him and who believe, and who are humble. According to a comentary I read, Jesus was also testing her faith. I see this as an illustration of a testing of faith. She is also a woman that makes her positon in soicety low on top of being a Canannaite which would kind of make her an outcast. Intersting how God uses women to illustrate His most intamate characteristics. This is truely an honor. The love and grace of God are what make us worthy. A comentary also compared this with the tax collector and the Pharasee. What do ya'll think?
