Matthew 7:24-30
24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil[b] spirit came and fell at his feet. 26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
28“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
29Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. NIV
Over the years I have read this passage and was puzzled by what it meant. I was not so certain that I understood how Jesus, the woman, her child, other children, bread crumbs, and dogs fit together.
However, I am getting a glimmer of the picture…kind of like one of the very first movies that Thomas Edison made…black and white; herky-jerky; and no sound. In fact, it seems to me that we see lots of things around us that way today.
But here is a woman, a Greek, a gentile who approaches Jesus with her problem. It sounds as if He is trying to get away, but she throws herself at His feet. She stopped His leaving. And she asked Him to drive the demon from her daughter.
But Jesus tells her that first the Jews (the children) are fed. This, however, is a very bright lady. She replies that even the dogs get to eat the crumbs which fall on the floor as the children eat.
In other words, we are all at the table together. There is enough for us all in Jesus. What great delight Jesus must have taken in her response! And her faith enabled Jesus to heal her daughter.
Jesus’ table is large enough for us all. I hope we always invite people to join us at His table. Jesus included everyone. Can we do less?
Carol
Bible Breath: Having faith / Jesus responds
