Lent Day 11. Matthew 15

Jesus replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:26-28)

◇ Jesus and his disciples went to the region of Tyre and Sidon, in the land of the Gentiles. A woman cried out to Jesus and his disciples, asking them to heal her daughter. Jesus initially ignored her, and his disciples urged him to send her away because they found her bothersome. The woman knelt before Jesus and pleaded with him to drive the demon out of her daughter. Jesus said that he couldn't give the bread meant for the children to the dogs. His words must have been insulting to her, but she responded that even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Jesus was moved by her faith and healed her daughter.

The Canaanite woman endured the disciples' rudeness and Jesus' insulting words. Imagine the agony of a mother who had to see her demon-possessed daughter every day and how strong her desperation must have been.

Why did Jesus speak insultingly to this desperate woman? Has Jesus ever spoken or acted insultingly towards someone else? Shouldn't Jesus have just healed her daughter without causing her more pain? Why did he do this?

♧ Let us examine whether we have desperation in our hearts today. Let us examine whether we are enduring insults and difficulties. Let us examine whether we trust in the promise of our Lord who is with us. Lord, have mercy on us and lead us in the truth of the Holy Spirit!