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| By Joy Labinjo Cebit i-d.co |
21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”
23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”
24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”
26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”
28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Almost all religions in the world are culturally specific. They relate to one ethnicity, in one location. This is how Judaism was, until it was turned on it's head by Jesus. A few days ago I was chatting to my Zimbabwean colleague and friend about how she observed communion when she was growing up in a community without bread or wine. I think of the many thousands of people who existed before the stories of Genesis and Eden came to be written. We who are gentiles know that we are the little dogs that are able to eat under the table of the chosen. All our needs are met, and we are included in the promise of greater things to come.
PRAYER: Thank you for choosing me to be your friend. Thank you for your righteousness given to me.
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