Matthew 15:21-39
Dear RTB’ers,
Jesus now leaves Capernaum, leaving Galilee altogether and travels to the northwest to Tyre and Sidon, coastal cities on the Mediterranean Sea. There He meets a woman from that region who has a demon-possessed daughter. I love this story, both the attitude of this Canaanite woman and her response to Jesus’ denial to heal her daughter. First, …she came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” (v. 25) Matthew specifically indicates that she knelt before Him. Many people have approached Jesus for their needs, but I don’t recall anyone else simply, humbly kneeling before Him. To me, very touching. Then, when Jesus denies her request, she answers in the same context as His denial: She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” (v. 27) Taking this sentence to ourselves, can you imagine eating even the crumbs that fall from God’s table??!! What a feast that would be! And yet He is not satisfied with us getting only the crumbs – He has invited us to sit at table with Him at that very feast, the eternal banquet! (See Matthew 8:11, Revelation 19:9a.) All it takes is us kneeling before Him and asking in faith. Let’s do that.
Our dear friend, John, often adds, “One more thing…” I also have one for you, the words and music to a song that I love, “God and man at table are sat down”. Beautiful words, beautiful music! (But I’ve heard better versions of this song.) Enjoy!
Blessings!
See also: