Name Calling

Is it possible to change our view of someone?

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.” - Matthew 15:24-27

We may be familiar with the story.

A Canaanite woman seeks help from Jesus and he refuses, telling her he was sent for the children of God, not for the dogs.

These are harsh,  hurtful words, and we may find it hard to believe Jesus would treat this woman this way.  After all, he just finished telling Peter that it is what comes out of the mouth from the heart that defiles.

So, here he is calling this woman names.  Is he serious, or is this another lesson for us?

If we are supposed to emulate Jesus, which Jesus do we want to see?  Do we seek to be the one who calls the woman a dog, or the one who sees the heart beneath the prejudice?

The woman is like the Good Samaritan, reaching out from her world to show us in ours that we have views and beliefs that need adjusting.

That said, I am sure many will continue to call out the evil they see in others and say they are following Christ.  While others will try to do something else, and seek to be the Christ who chooses not to defile with words and anger, but heal.

That's the Christ they hung on a tree.

More to come...