Crumbs
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus was a bit harsh with this woman, saying he had not come for her kind, the Gentiles.
Photo by Nima Mohammadi on Unsplash
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. - Matthew 15:21-28
But this woman didn’t accept his denial of service to her.
She persisted, reminding him that we humans are more compassionate to dogs than he is to her.
That was a slap in the face for a man of God, and yet he took it.
How many of us would have waved her off and moved on?
She was not a Jew, so she was not his target audience, not in his mission. But that meant she was also a nonbeliever, and yet she believed.
It took her acceptance of his insult to make him see what he had missed. A Gentile came to him in faith. Many Jews had not done that.
Even though Jesus was not prepared to help this woman, he was generally accessible. He welcomed all and spoke with all, including this Gentile and the Samaritan woman at the well.
He showed us that God is accessible and compassionate.
I think about our leaders, not just in church, but our politicians as well. Shouldn’t they all be accessible to all of us?
And what about celebrities? Isn’t their fame due to our interest and admiration?
Heads of corporations, too, exist solely to lead their people, meaning to serve them, and those people exist to make products and services for us, the consumers.
So, why is there a divide, a chasm between them and us?
Shouldn’t everyone be accessible?
Jesus was reminded by this woman that all are God’s children, even those considered less than human. She called him out.
She did not shame him by naming him, the way we do today on social media, but she simply accepted his term for her, and used it to make her point.
She wanted something for her daughter, and she was not going to step down until she got it.
She was being what God is for all of us, a self-sacrificing parent.
She deserved to be heard, not because she was special, but because she was the very type of person Jesus was teaching his disciples to serve.
Maybe we all need a reminder of whose we are.
Maybe it is time for a reminder call for all who believe they are special and above the rest.
Humble thyself. Become the servant of all. Be accessible to those for whom and because of whom you exist.
If we all did that, people would listen to each other, rather than ignore one another.
More to come...
As I read today's Reflection I thought not only about being accessible but also about being open, receptive, curious to learn, and focused on serving others. I resonated with the idea that politicians should be accessible and open to learning and the ideas/opinions of and from others. Absolutely corporate leaders! A leader is one who focuses on developing others, not just getting the job done. Jesus listened and developed others and helped all grow (if they were open).