Humanity

Gen 46:1-47:31, Matt 15:1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Prov 4:14-19 

“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.

Jesus stands corrected, and from whom?  Not only a woman, but a Canaanite.  Now, many commentaries, scholars, and pastors make many excuses for what they really want this text to say.  You read things like he intentionally is using this as a teaching moment for the disciples.  Can we not accept that this is a learning moment for Jesus?  In one breath we try to hold together that Jesus is fully human and fully divine, and in another we have trouble accepting that fully human means that sometimes we are wrong.  Perhaps, Jesus was wrong and stands corrected.  I think our story is much richer if Jesus’ humanity actually shows human moments. Moments that lead from “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”  to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt 28:19)

And Jesus responds,  “Woman, great is your faith!”  Another beautiful example of the outsider, the most unexpected, who is the example of great faith.

What do you think?  Let’s keep on walking.

Shalom,

Pastor Rob