Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race.
And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
But she answered and *said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.”
And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left. Mark 7:26-30
Did Jesus really call this woman a dog? He surely did! Yikes. At least that’s my reaction. But, what was her reaction? Simply to acknowledge that her need was so great, she would humbly beg healing of a Savior. And Jesus honored that. Some get hung up thinking Jesus is demeaning her. In my opinion, He is letting her know how far from the truth she has strayed in her idolatry and that the results have become disastrous, literally inviting a demon to torment her daughter. In that way, He compares the gospel and what He (the bread of life) offers, to the substitute religion of the Canaanites as dog food.
Matthew clarifies that the decision was not racial it was spiritual. The Canaanite people were idolatrous… and she needed to understand that we come to God on His terms, through His Son, not our own self-made religion expecting Him to perform like a genie. How did that demon find its way to her daughter in the first place?
Am I substituting any self-made religion for the true gospel of Jesus Christ? What trouble have I invited into my life because I ignore the glorious gospel and relationship to God that is available to me?
Lord Jesus, You do all things well. I know this. Today You give me courage to face the politically correct gestapo that wants to silence Your gospel in all public forums by calling people like me ignorant, racist, and so much more. They are content to eat dog food. I can never return, having tasted the Bread of Life. I am praying today for many people and situations, especially thanking You that my mom has a second opinion on her health condition. Show us anything we are missing. I pray for success in the treatment. I am anticipating the trip we begin tonight. Prepare me, Maureen, Joleen, Steve and Brett for what You want us to see. Give us opportunities to love people in Your name. I pray for pastor Chuck as we begin the Vision Dinners, continue to show what You have for us as a church in the next season… allow him to passionately communicate the vision so we can run with it.
