Dog Scraps

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is tormented by a demon."  But he did not say a word in answer to her.  His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  

But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me."  He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."  She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."  

Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)

I still don’t understand why Jesus would call the woman a “dog.”   Perhaps Matthew put those words into Jesus’ mouth to make the compelling point that ethnic differences should have no effect on how we treat others.  We are one family.  We may not particularly like some members, but they still deserve respect and love, despite how different they may be from us (or how much they get under our skin).

Next time a family member ticks us off, let’s not simply throw them a bone.   Let’s offer an olive branch instead.

Deacon David Pierce