
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: 21 – 28
This has to be one of the most puzzling stories in the Gospels. At first glance, you would be forgiven for feeling that Jesus is being both rude and misogynistic, possibly even racist – “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” – calling a woman in desperate need a ‘dog’.
But that’s not the Jesus I know, the Jesus who is at ease with sinners, occupying troops, lepers and even women, sharing meals and healing them despite the ‘religious’ rules forbidding Him to do so.
So we have to delve a bit further into the significance of what is happening – and when we do, there seem to be two possible interpretations, both of which demand that the passage is contextualised by an awareness of its background.
One possibility is that throughout the Gospels, Jesus is continuously learning about the breadth of His mission. The woman challenges Him to consider whether His ministry is exclusive – for the Jews only – or universal – even to the ‘dogs’, if they accept Him and place their trust in Him. “Great is your faith – let it be as you wish”. Remember that this event takes place before the Transfiguration, when God proclaims Jesus as the Son in who He is well pleased, to be followed by the journey to Jerusalem which results in the fulfilment of Jesus destiny. Everything that has gone before incrementally prepares Him for the cross.
The other explanation is that Jesus knows exactly what He is doing. In front of the Pharisees and scribes, who have taken great offence at Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 15:12) Jesus offers a practical demonstration that, though God has chosen salvation to come from Israel, it is not just for Israel, but the whole of creation. The Messiah they want would reject the dogs (the Gentiles, the unclean, the women). That’s not what they get.
There are arguments for either interpretation. Food for thought.
But whichever, there is no argument that the woman is healed. As are we all, whoever we may be – Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. One in Jesus, the Christ. That’s the important bit.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 8th October 2023
Throughout the centuries, God offers a gift being able to choose life and starting again, but when continually refused, He shakes the dust off His sandals and moves on. Could you blame Him, then, if He turns Hs blessing to the poor?
Praying Together 1st October 2023
The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.
Praying Together 3rd September 2023
‘Those who want to save their life will lose it’, said Jesus, but though people hear Him, they don’t actually listen.
Praying Together 27th August 2023
In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I.
Praying Together 13th August 2023
Once in a while, we might close our earthly eyes and leap over the side. There is nothing that Jesus asks us that we can’t achieve.
Praying Together 6th August 2023
The prophecy is fulfilled, the light has come, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts. Hallelujah.
Praying Together 30th July 2023
The treasure is there – it just needs to be found. We search for truth, and realise that Jesus is the truth; the way; and the life.
Praying Together 23rd July 2023
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Praying Together 9th July 2023
‘What do I have to do to be free?’, they ask. What will it cost me?
Just believe, He says. I’ll buy it for you. On a cross