Dogs We Are

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)

Many early Jews thought Jesus was about restoring Israel (lost sheep of the house of Israel) to its former power free from foreign domination.  Matthew recognized that belief, but he understood far more.  Jesus was for the Gentiles as well; that is, the pagans.   They were the “dogs” the commonly used reference for the pagans. It’s likely Matthew told his story to make that point.  

Matthew wrote around 85 A.D. after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.  Of importance, by 85 A.D. Christians were unwelcome in Jewish synagogues.  Matthew distinguished Jewish from Christian worship by reference to “their” synagogues. 

We will never know the kind of demon tormenting the Canaanite woman’s daughter.  It’s not really important because the point is Jesus healed her making it clear to his disciples and all that followed that he was sent to all lost sheep.  With Jesus we dogs are found and eat more than scraps from the table.

Deacon David Pierce