The Intended Gift

What do you do if the gift you have prepared is needed by someone other than who you intended?

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

We tend to think of Jesus as a reservoir of salvation, able to help everyone and anyone without using up his power.

But what if we looked at him differently?  What if we looked at his examples as ones we should be able to follow in our lives?

Imagine we have prepared a bag of food for someone and as we are delivering it, another person shouts for our attention, claiming she needs it for herself and her family.

Would we give it to her?

We might want to, but we have committed to give it to someone else.  

If we have more, we could give her what we have and go get another bag, right?

Because Jesus gives in and heals the woman's daughter, we get the message that we should be open to doing the same.  We should be aware of those who need help, regardless of who they are or how we encounter them.

All are children of God and all who are hungry need to be fed.

It is our job, if we care about others and love God, to offer help.

More to come...