But Jesus answered, “Let us first feed the children. It isn’t right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” “Sir,” she answered, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s leftovers!”—Mark 7:27-28 GNT
I get irritated easily when someone behaves in ways I disapprove of towards me. This can be as simple as being ignored or being spoken to rudely. Sometimes it might lead me to refuse to deal with such a person in future because of my earlier experience with them. My husband has continuously encouraged me to give people the benefit of the doubt and second chances, as we don’t know what others are going through. This is something I’m still working on!
So, when I read today’s scripture, it hit hard somewhere deep inside me. I can’t imagine being referred to as a dog! I can imagine myself saying, “How dare you?” and probably walking away.
This woman’s story, however, amazes me because she was focused, determined and humble. She knew what she was going through, how the evil spirit was destroying her family and her daughter’s life. She was desperate and needed help. She must have sought help in various places, got to her wits’ end, and, deep down, knew that Jesus was the only hope and answer to her problem.
When she met Jesus, she knew who she was—a gentile —but she still made her request. Being referred to as a dog didn’t faze her, instead she humbly replied, “Sir… even the dogs under the table eat the children’s leftovers!” Mark 7:28 (GNT)
And that humble reply got the attention of Jesus and got her the desire of her heart: “So Jesus said to her, ‘Because of that answer, go back home, where you will find that the demon has gone out of your daughter!’ She went home and found her child lying on the bed; the demon had indeed gone out of her.” Mark 7:29 -30 (GNT)
On this Christian journey, we are faced with many distractions, but humility, commitment and focused determination are essential characteristics to fulfilling God’s will in our lives.
Jesus is our prime example; He left His glory in heaven and came down to a wretched, messed-up world and humbled Himself by dying a shameful death on the cross for you and me.
“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV)
Compared to Jesus, what do we have? Nothing! We are simply sinners who deserve death; therefore, we have every reason to stay humble and grateful for what God has done.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6 (ESV)
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 