Today’s reading is Matthew 15:1-16:28. 

The story of the Syro-phoenician widow struck me today. It struck me in a little different way than before. I’ve always been impressed with her faith. She so believed Jesus could heal her daughter that she simply kept on begging. However, what really hit me was what Jesus called her and how she responded.

Jesus said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

What? Is Jesus calling her a dog? WOW!

Yet, she doesn’t even bat an eye. She doesn’t get defensive. She doesn’t say, “Wait a minute here. I know I’m a Gentile, but a dog? You need to get your act together Jesus, you’ll never attract people that way.” She doesn’t stalk off in anger at His insensitivity.

Rather, she just says, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

She was willing to accept the epithet of “dog.” She was humble enough to admit she was begging. She was humble enough to admit her own poverty. Jesus was the master. He was the one with the power. He was the one she had to latch on to and honor. She was willing to cast away all personal honor in order to honor Jesus. When she did, Jesus healed her daughter.

What about me? How much of my pride do I like to hang on to. I mean, I know I’ve messed up royally, but really, I’m not that bad. I’m really a great person. Don’t dare call me a dog. If Jesus is going to call me a dog, then I’m going some place else. 

Of course, the problem is there is no other place to go. 

In one sense, I am a dog. My sins have separated me from the master. I have wallowed in the mire and returned to my own vomit again and again and again. Yet, when I come to Jesus willing to cast aside all my pride, humble myself under His hand and admit that only He can fix whatever it is I need fixing, then He’ll be able to act. Notice, I didn’t just say He will act, but He’ll be able to act. The fact is, I’m only able to be a tool for Jesus when I put aside all my pride and humble myself before Him. To the degree that I hang on to my pride and my own ideas of personal powerfulness, Jesus is unable to work in my life. Not because He can’t overpower me, but because He refuses to.

Can I admit I’m a dog to receive the mercy of Jesus?

That’s a tough one.

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?