In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman approached Jesus to ask him to help her daughter who was “severely oppressed by a demon.” Jesus first ignores the woman and his disciples, possibly annoyed by her constant crying and insistence, asked Jesus to send her away. Jesus says two things about the woman which sounds quite controversial. First he said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” And when the woman persisted, Jesus then said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” (Matthew 15:24; 26)
Jesus makes reference to his mission to be a witness first to the Jews. Jesus then makes reference to the idea at the time, that healing and deliverance was considered sacred to the Jews who were God’s chosen people. The woman was persistent and did not take offence to what could have been considered insults. “She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”(Matthew 15:27)
The reward is the acknowledgment of her faith, and her daughter was healed immediately. (Matthew 15:28) Although Jesus’s mission was first to the Jews, his commission to the disciples was to reach all nations. As such, we who accept him as Lord are grafted into the family of God and share in this inheritance.
Even then, before the gospel had spread to those who were not Jews, Jesus extended grace and healing to those outside of his mission field. We can’t go too far for God to reach us and healing is not reserved for those who are ‘more deserving’ than others. If you believe that Jesus is able to heal and restore then he will grant your request.
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 