Currently I am reading through the gospels chronologically by story. Many of these stories are ones that we learned about 10 times in Sunday School and before reading them I pray that God would reveal something new to me. However, this story is one that I can’t recall I’ve heard before.
I came across the story titled “The Faith of a Gentile Woman” in Matthew 15: 21-28. 8 short verses that create a life transforming story.
“Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile 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.”
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.”
Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep-the people of Israel.
But she came and worshipped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”
Jesus responded, “it isn’t right to take food from children and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied, “that’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their master’s table.”
“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. “
Matthew 15: 21-28 (NLT)
Immediately after reading this I was shocked at Jesus first response to the woman! He didn’t even respond to her! That’s kinda rude, and then in his second response I questioned, “Did Jesus just call all of us gentiles (anyone who isn’t of Jewish ethnicity) dogs?” I thought he called me precious, daughter, loved, cared for, and chased after.
I then realized that, yes, he did call the gentiles in this time period dogs because he came to save his chosen nation (Isreal). But because God is so good he opened up the way of salvation to everyone after Jesus died for each person that God ever created (that’s us!) So now if we accept Christ into our lives, ask forgiveness for our sins, and live our lives for him we become part of his chosen nation!
I admire this woman’s persistence in chasing after Jesus, I pray that same fire would burn inside of me, that I would always have a desperate need for him! Everyone has a gap of emptiness in their lives and try to fill it with alcohol, social media, friends, drugs, sex, video games, money, significant others and so many other things. The reality is that the gap that each human experiences can only be filled by having a relationship with Jesus! This woman realized that when she called out for help.
Continuing on, the woman’s response after Jesus basically calls her a dog and tells her no, she says “that’s true, Lord, but even the dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters table.” This made me realize that if we can just experience the crumbs of God’s glory that is pretty amazing, I mean Jesus healed her daughter!
About a year ago, my pastor did a sermon and at the end he said “Jesus, show us your glory” and that’s something that’s really stuck with me for a while and I’ve prayed for God to show me his glory. Now after reading this story, I’ve begun praying to have the crumbs! Even if we just experience the crumbs of Gods glory and his goodness and love, that is so much more valuable than anything ever made by man.
So Jesus, here I am saying, I will take the crumbs, Lord! Please show me your glory.
