David Bahn – Reflections

It’s a beautiful morning here in Myrtle Beach. We have a room with a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Pastors and Spouses retreat has begun with some insightful teaching by our leaders. The day before us promises more blessings of these sorts.

Biblical commentators have offered various explanations and insights about this encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. The most arresting issue for many is that Jesus in effect calls her a dog. In fact some have pointed to a supposed Jewish prayer in Jesus’ day, in which a man would thank God that he was not a Samaritan, a woman, or a dog. I have not found the source for that supposed prayer. But it’s sentiments are a sad commentary on misguided bigotry.

Matthew 15:21-28

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” ²³But he did not answer her a word.

And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” ²⁴He answered,  “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

It might be easy to focus on the fact that Jesus compares this woman to a dog. And while the words and the setting here describe more of a household pet than a wild dog of the streets, it’s still not a flattering comparison. The facts are that the woman holds her own in this conversation; she knows Jesus’ heart is kindly-disposed toward her. And in the end, the woman’s faith is commended and her daughter is healed.

We do well to thank God for the blessings he gives: his favor toward faith that honors his character and looks for his kindness and goodness, and the blessings of healing and hope that he pours out on us each day. We might be thankful that we are not any number of onerous-to-us things. But ultimately we have much to thank God for.

We join the Psalmist and millions of believers and say,

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!”