The Living Word, 8 March 2020

Jesus had many clashes with the Pharisees because they had lost the true ‘spirit’ of the Law and insisted on the ‘letter’ of the Law. They viewed Jesus as unorthodox, unconventional and even blasphemous. This does not imply Jesus actually breached the Law, but from the perspective of the Pharisees he was at best suspect.

Their attitude to Gentiles was appalling. They considered them lower than dogs and went to great lengths to discriminate against Gentiles whenever they could. They considered Gentiles to be ‘unclean’. 

When Jesus was confronted by a Canaanite woman with her naming him “Lord, Son of David” (Matthew 15:22), he was a bit surprised. Firstly, that a Gentile woman would even speak to him, but astonishingly, she knew exactly who he was!

Jesus’ response is a bit mysterious. He challenges the woman about her audacity to ask anything of him, a Jew. She should know how socially unacceptable it was to speak to a Jew and especially to make demands of him. Even the disciples encouraged him to send her away as if she was some kind of nuisance (v. 23). Then she plays her trump card, she kneels before Jesus and says, “Lord, help me!” (v. 25). 

A simple yet profound plea. She already believes Jesus can help her, but still he suggests through his use of the term “dogs”, a common Jewish name for Gentiles, that she shouldn’t even ask. He seems to treat her harshly, but all the time Jesus is measuring her faith. Asking himself the question whether she is just trying to scavenge whatever she can’ like most of the rest of Jesus’ popular following. Or is her faith in him as Lord and Saviour genuine?

The woman persists, she is willing to accept ‘crumbs’. “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” (v. 28) Her great faith may be fuelled by a great need, to heal her daughter, but is nonetheless heartfelt 

I believe that Jesus was going to conclude like this all along. In challenging the woman he sees in her a vital and growing faith. And it is only by faith that we are saved. The woman had nothing she could call merit, she certainly came from the wrong tribe. According to the Law she was ‘unclean’ and yet by faith she is redeemed. Like her, we can do nothing to save ourselves except have faith that Jesus IS the Son of God, Lord of the Universe and Saviour of us all. Often a simple prayer like, “Lord, help me!” brings us into His presence.

In Christ,

Alan Wood