Scripture Daily

Context No. 878 of 4322 · Matthew

Context · Reflection

Matthew 15:26-31: in context

26But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. 29Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up on the mountain and sat there. 30Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them, 31so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—and they glorified the God of Israel.

A Canaanite woman, a Gentile, has been begging Jesus to heal her tormented daughter. Here comes the hard exchange: Jesus says it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. She answers that even the dogs eat the crumbs falling from their masters' table. Jesus says, Woman, great is your faith, and her daughter is healed that hour. Then he goes up on a mountain and heals crowds of the lame, blind, mute, and maimed.

The words to the woman are hard, and pretending otherwise helps no one. Jesus first ignores her, then says he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel, then uses an image that sounds like an insult, children and dogs. This is the bible, and the scene is not smoothed over for our comfort. But watch what she does with it. She does not argue that she deserves better; she accepts the low place he names and works from inside it. Yes, Lord, even the dogs get the crumbs. She takes the very word that could have humiliated her and turns it into a claim on his mercy: if I am only a dog under the table, then even I get crumbs, and a crumb from you is enough. Jesus praises exactly this. Her faith is not offended pride demanding standing; it is humility that will not let go of his goodness even when handed the smallest possible portion.

When God seems to put me in a low place, do I demand my standing, or do I do what she did and cling to his mercy from right where I am?

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