November 3: LITTLE DOGS AND GREAT FAITH

And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word.  Matthew 15:22-23a

Instead of loving compassion for those born into an environment of idolatry, the ‘keepers of the oracles of God’ looked down in hatred toward non-Jews, regularly referring to many of them as “dogs.” In these verses Jesus went out of His way to demonstrate both the unfeeling coldness of this attitude as well as to show His disciples an example of sincerity among Gentiles in search of the true God.  

It seems incredible that Jesus ignored the Canaanite woman crying out to Him for help on behalf of her daughter. But He who knows all hearts knew that she would not be so easily discouraged. Jesus’ apparent rudeness emboldened His disciples to demand that He order her to leave. But Jesus knew that this woman, full of a mother’s love, had already sought help for her daughter among the false gods of her heathen upbringing. He knew that she had heard of the Jewish Prophet who was healing all manner of sickness and suffering. Word of Him had spread like wildfire! As He came near, her eyes were fixed upon Him who had purposefully placed Himself in her path. Jesus was her last hope—her only hope!

When the disciples told Jesus to send her away (v.23b) He did not do it. Instead, He took that moment to emphasize the lostness of His own people, saying, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (v.24) Make note: this statement confirms the promise made to Daniel regarding the Jews, in the last four verses of Daniel 9. The seventy weeks of years determined for the keepers of the oracles of God were crowned with the face-to-face ministry of the Son of God. That final week of years is the divine hinge between the door of opportunity for salvation in the Old Testament and the door of opportunity for salvation in the New Testament. The original assignment of this chosen people had been to take the gospel of salvation to the entire world.

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”  Matthew 15:25-26

In first ignoring, and then name-calling, Jesus made a shocking display of the cruel coldness of those who called themselves Jews*. But this loving mother, accustomed to such treatment by the professed people of God, was undaunted and saw that her opportunity had finally come. Underneath the apparent rejection by Jesus, she could read His face . . . compassion! Such a deep and genuine compassion cannot be hidden or disguised.

Seek His face today! Ask for His Holy Spirit to give you a countenance of genuine compassion.

And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (vv.27-28)

*see Romans 2:29