Exposing Our Attitudes

Today’s Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Bigotry

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 15:21-28

²² A Canaanite woman… came to him (Jesus), crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

²⁴ He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

²⁶ He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

²⁷ "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

²⁸ Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matt 15:22-28 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

There are many lessons to be gained from this unusual passage. What is the main point? Is it about the woman’s “great faith”? Is it about persistence? Is it about the disciples wanting to “send her away”? Are some people really to be considered “dogs”? Did Jesus really come only for the people of Israel? Yes, many questions to be explored, answered and the lessons to be taken to heart, but I want to consider one reason why Jesus treated this woman in such a condescending manner.

Knowing the character and nature of Jesus—His love for all people in the world—His commands to love and go into all the world—it is clear that Jesus was and is in no way bigoted. However, He certainly recognizes that bigotry does exist between different people groups. By echoing attitudes He knew existed in His own disciples, He exposed them and corrected them. “You think I was only sent for you—only for Israel—not true! You think that you are higher than other people; that they are as dogs—not true!” And to accentuate the point He praised the woman for her faith and healed her daughter.

APPLICATION:

The truth stated by our American founding fathers that, “All men are created equal” is validated by the Scriptures. Yet to act as if prejudice and bigotry do not exist by merely policing our speech is only to mask the need within people’s hearts for genuine transformation that can only fully be realized by receiving Christ within.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me demonstrate Your love and acceptance for all people by my actions and not just by acting “politically correct.” Through Christ Jesus. Amen.  –AP