Friday, August 14, 2026

Matthew 15:10-28 

“Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’” 

Welcome to my least favorite text in all of scripture.  

Even after much study on the how, where, when, and why these words seem to happen, I am still deeply troubled by the things that Jesus says (and does not say) at this moment. First, he seems to ignore a woman in pain, who is asking for his help. Second, he seems to dismiss by framing his mission as only for those of Jewish faith, and not Gentiles like her. Third, and worst of all, he seems to disregard her humanity, and with sharp words, by compared to a begging, unworthy dog. Is this really my savior? Is this my healer, my friend, my rock of salvation? If so, why would he be doing and saying this?  

I can assure you that I have spent a great deal of time and tears studying this. Very little makes it better. From all of the translation, commentary, apologetics and sermons I’ve waded through over the years, my best answer is that Jesus is revealing to us, the listener, in live-time, how God’s love can expand to include all people. Even those we would expect to be disrespected, or are certain who are unworthy, are those who come to know God’s acceptance and grace. Which would have been a noticeable, even radically counter-cultural promise, for a Jewish rabbi in Jesus’ day and age.  

We’ll get more into grace tomorrow. For now, we hold onto other voices and stories within scripture, that speak of Jesus’ mercy, forgiveness, and love.  

– Pr. Alex 

Let us pray: Unexplainable God, we reach out to you and ask for healed wounds, even when the outcome is unlikely. Surprise us with the touch of your healing mercy, so we might know of our value to you. Amen.