Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 15:26, ” But He answered, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ “

Background

Name a topic. Whatever comes to mind, it’s probably safe to say that there is some sort of how- to manual written on that particular subject, instructing the readers how to become something, or accomplish something, or improve something. There might be ten steps to become this, or five ways to a better that, or eight of these to avoid the other. If you’re looking for a method or a formula, it’s out there. And if you can make a list and spice it up with some catchy examples, then you just might be the next expert on, say, how to get up later and still get to work on time. Or maybe you’ve got the nine steps to a clutter-free closet. We could always use more advice on how to turn two pounds of ground beef into two week’s worth of meals. If your book is going to be about dealing with people and ways to change their lives, however, then maybe you ought to skip this passage and the way Jesus dealt with the Canaanite woman. His four steps to a miracle, or, how to recognize and reward great faith, certainly doesn’t go the route that would seem to work for most of us.

Application

 Initially, our loving Savior ignores the direct plea of the woman for the release of her daughter from demon possession. She cries out to Him, and He doesn’t say a word. Then His disciples urge Him to get rid of her. You can imagine the love she’s feeling by now. So Jesus’ response is to talk about her, to them. He explains to them, at least, that she’s just not on His agenda. That should take care of that ministry opportunity. You’d think. But there she is, worshipping Him, and asking for help, again. So He throws her a bone, so to speak, and acknowledges her enough to compare her to a little dog. Jackpot. You won’t be seeing her around here anymore. The instructional video is complete. But she is not deterred. Why not? She’s in the presence of a king. She loves her daughter. She has great faith. So she asks for the scraps of His mercy, and finally receives the greatness of God. It’s not textbook. But it’s written by a Savior who knows just how.

Charge

As we seek Him today, skip over the ignoring and judging and slighting that we commonly do and go right to the loving and accepting and ministering.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words