Matthew 15:21-28
From time to time I have pondered when Jesus knew what he knew. Did he know as a child he was the son of God? Was it the fullness of time that gave him the wisdom and knowledge or was it present from day one?
In today's passage Jesus has somewhat of a conversion moment. Jesus was Jewish and Jesus died a Jew. He was not Christian. Here Jesus points out that he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. That eliminates whole groups of people, certainly Gentiles and for that matter, the rest of the world.
At the same time Jesus professes who he has come for, he recognizes the faith of a non Jew. It seems as if a light has gone off and he recognizes the woman's faith. There are many instances in Scripture where Jesus not only speaks to outcasts and those who would not fall into the category of even lost sheep, but proclaims them as saved and welcome in his fathers' kingdom. In this sense Jesus was a revolutionary. Speaking to outcasts, women, lepers, touching them, loving them, curing them, welcoming them. I suppose it doesn't matter when Jesus knew what he knew, he talks the talk and walks the walk. His actions speak louder than any words ever could.
I spoke recently of a personal conversion moment when I went from avowed cat hater to cat and animal lover. The story is more complex that I told but the conversion was profound. In fact I still recall a brother of mine saying that he'd believe I was gay but he found it unbelievable that I loved cats! Conversions are like that sometimes. It's that old 2 by 4 that I often speak of that God whacks you with.
Was it a bolt of lightening or God's 2 by 4 that knocked Paul off his horse and blinded him? There is another conversion moment. In the case of Paul it resulted not only his conversion but cooperation with Jesus' plan whereby everyone can be saved, not just the Jews. More revolution!
Hopefully we all have conversion moments. It happens a great deal to people who think (as opposed to listening to Fox News) and have open minds. People who live a bit outside their comfort zones and experience more of God's created world are more open to conversion. It's not just thinking outside the box, it's living outside the box.
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 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.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.
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