From the desk of Pastor Ben

Great Faith Is Humble

Se came and began to bow before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And he answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”         (Matthew 15:25-27)

The Gentile woman’s bowing down might or might not have been an act of worship toward Jesus, but it was clearly an act of humility. She likely became prostrate at His feet and cried out even more desperately, “Lord, help me!”

But the Savior again put her off with symbolic words about children and dogs that at first hearing were not very complimentary. The woman would have known that children referred to the Jews, and dogs referred to the Gentiles — the Jews commonly used both references. Jesus’ answer, no doubt, sounded to her like the insults Jews frequently hurled at their Gentile neighbors.

The woman, however, was undaunted and showed incredible understanding of Jesus’ words: “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” She conceded that she was sinful and less deserving than the Jews. Her attitude showed a complete lack of pride and self-reliance that often characterized the Jews. A small, leftover portion of Jesus’ power was enough to heal her daughter, and that was all she was humbly asking.

The Lord’s earthly ministry was primarily to the Jews, but crumbs of the gospel did fall from their table and feed humble Gentiles like this woman with the Bread of Life.

Ask Yourself:
How has Christ tested your faith in days past, not to discourage or resist you, but rather to add new layers of muscle to your trust in Him? Why is it so easy to misunderstand this aspect of His Lordship, and in what ways has it strengthened your faith and loyalty to Him?