Matthew 15:21-39

Matthew 15:21 - 39

On the heels of a conversation about real purity Jesus retreats away for peace and quiet. But his reputation precedes Him. Jesus’ dialogue with a Canaanite woman is the most challenging saying of Jesus. The list of reasons why this woman was unacceptable is long. Nevertheless, she comes to Jesus with two expressions of faith. She calls him Lord, which might mean only respect, but she also called him Son of David a Messianic title. Was this lip service and parrot talk? The only way to find out is to offer resistance! The disciples simply want her to go away and healing the child may be the easiest way to get her to leave. She gets close to the Lord and in verse 25 and verse 26 Jesus has his famous "dog" comment.

There are three possible answers to what Jesus was meaning. First, dog may be a reference to a lap dog. But it's hardly better to call a person a Chihuahua then to call them a Labrador retriever. Second, Jesus may have had a twinkle in his eyes as he spoke inviting her to come closer. Third, Jesus was using the cultural expectations of the day to test the resolve of this woman. The first explanation seems to lack any historical support. The second makes the record dependent on what hasn’t been recorded. The third makes this a story about faith that overcomes resistance. Jesus was working with an individual and He was using non-supportive, cultural barriers. Part of faith is how bad do you want it. Faith has to be more than a whim or a vague wish. It is here that faith intersects with a preferred vision of the future.

This is followed by general healing in a remote area. But nothing is said about teaching at this point and the mission is still to the house of Israel yet blessings overflow to all us unworthy people. A lot of people could be healed in 3 days and now they face a large crowd on a 3-day fast. So, Jesus meets their physical needs. Grace and kindness is demonstrated while there is a strong lesson about persistence. Many of us have dreams or fantasies about our faith and spiritual service. But often these vanish in the face of the least resistance. Do we have the faith to push on in the face of a challenge?

"Lord, inspire me to be faithful regardless of any resistance. AMEN"

Matthew 15:1-20

Matthew 15:1-20

The capacity of religious people to get worked up is amazing. A delegation of the Pharisees and scribes has come from Jerusalem to question Jesus about hand washing rules. This was a trip of 80 miles as a crow flies all to discuss hand washing. Likely, Orthodox Jewish practice was the bigger subject, the keeping of the traditions that surrounded the word of God, but not specifically scripture itself. We always have a tendency to confuse our tradition with the Word of God. There is nothing wrong with having an opinion as to the non-specifics of our faith. The problem comes when our opinion is given the same authority as the Word of God and our opinions become empty rituals by which we then try to measure ourselves and others' faiths. The focus shifts from the heart that loves God and is committed to obeying him to keeping track of “measurables”. This is a righteousness that is earned by works rather than given by God.

How often do I measure my goodness based on an external shell of self-written, self-imposed and self-judged righteousness? From the clothes that are worn to worship, to the style of music, to the name of a denomination, what began as a way to understand and explain the faith came to replace that faith.

So, what are we to do? Jesus calls us to remember, that it is at the heart level of obedience where our submission to God is evident. What ruins us is not breaking tradition, but a heart gone wrong which can manifest in breaking God's law and the relationship that represents.

The Pharisees were offended because this would have undercut the very core of their power, their control. The rules are not about knowing God, but controlling religion and people. We need also note that Jesus says the Father would uproot what is not His. Religion that is only a ritual is absolutely useless and is bound to be uprooted.

"Lord, never allow me to love rules and rituals more than You. Amen"