Good morning, Zane.
No snow here this morning, even though it was predicted. But it’s definitely cold and wet out there.
I need to take off in about an hour to an appointment with my cardiologist in Salem. He’s going to drop on me his commentary/observations flowing out of my recent stress test at his clinic. His normal conclusion in the past has been, “Keep doing what you’re doing.” We’ll soon know to what degree he carries on with that general advice.
I know that you and your family have been dog lovers. I thought it interesting to again see evidence in today’s reading that dog’s have always been active members of human families. It would seem that Jesus is quite approving of this practice. I’m inclined to view dogs, in general and by design, as a special gift of God to humans. There is simply no other animal with the same “wiring” as a dog in his friendship relationship with a human master.
Blessings on your day. Love and prayers—Tua/Ray.
There is much we could say regarding this account of the Gentile woman approaching Jesus with her request for her daughter’s deliverance from demon possession. It certainly shows that Jesus is not bound by a singular method in dealing with people and their needs. But for now I want to focus on just two qualities of this woman who won Jesus’ attention.
Firstly, desperate humility was resident in her approach. She was no doubt familiar with the common expression among the Jews that they were the special “children” of God and the Gentiles were the “dogs.” She didn’t give up in her seeking Jesus’ help even though He used this insult as a kind of test. She displayed true humility and submission, rather than offense and resistance. And that’s a quality to which God always responds. One of my commentaries (rarely consulted) says this, “She knew she was sinful and unworthy of anything He had to offer and was willing to concede that she was less deserving than Jews. In doing so she demonstrated a complete absence of the pride, self-reliance, and self-righteousness that characterized most Jews. She was willing to settle for ‘the crumbs which fall from their master’s table,’ because that would be enough to meet her needs. A tiny leftover of Jesus’ great power could heal her daughter and that was all she asked.”
Secondly, I think this woman’s intelligence is noteworthy. The last time I read this passage I wrote in the margin of my Bible a kind of lesson that stood out to me then: “God responds to intelligent faith.” I judge that God wants us to use the gift He has deposited into our cranium—the brain. It was clear that this woman was using hers. Many people don’t, you know—at least not to the degree they should. Most people simply do not take enough time to sit down and think through the issues of life and faith. This lady’s verbal response was important because it revealed what was inside. By her wise speech she showed what Jesus was looking for – a humble and reasonable faith. “Then He told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.’”
Let’s strive to be wise in how we speak to God in regards to our needs and His Word. Let’s be on guard against the jabbering of selfish or liturgical nonsense. That’s simply not the kind of REPLY that delights the Savior and meets needs. Think about it.