FAITH AND HONOUR
Matthew 15, Luke 4, Mark 6
“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
I had problems with Jesus’ encounter with the Syro-Phoenician woman for a long time. Not just because of his hesitation to help the woman, not even his reference to dogs with respect to the Gentiles, but because I could not see what was so remarkable about the woman’s faith. To me she showed remarkable love for her daughter and was willing to do anything to save her but Jesus commended her for her faith.
Jesus was there to take a break with his disciples when the woman barged in, crying out loudly for his help. He did not respond but neither did he send her away nor chastised her but she took his silence for rejection and started pestering his disciples and of course that was a mistake. But when his disciples asked him to send her away, Jesus responded enigmatically, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”, a reference that they might remember as part of his instructions when he sent them on a preaching mission (Matthew 10): “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” We should understand too that it is only within the Jewish Scriptures that the identity and mission of Jesus can be ascertained and authenticated; the uttermost parts of the world comes later.
The woman took the opportunity to enter directly into his presence and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
Then Jesus said something so out of character that I’m sure it was for the ears of his disciples, as the Jews commonly call the Gentiles “dogs”. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
What caught my attention this time was the realisation that she was saying to Jesus, “I may be a dog, but you are still my master.” I may be a Gentile but you are Lord of all and not just the Jews.
The passages describing Jesus’ encounter with the people in his village sharpened the contrast that had amazed Jesus. They were privileged as Jews, and even more so because they likely knew him when he was young, and knew his family. Yet their very closeness to him were the obstacles to their acknowledgement of God’s hand on him and to accord him the honour that is his due. Jesus’ reference to the widow of Zarephath and Naaman underlined the fact that this was often the case in the history of Israel. The children take their privilege for granted; the dogs know their master.
God chose to tear down the curtain that separates us from his holy presence. Jesus told his disciples (and us), “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Our weekly ritual of remembrance that he requested of us is a simple partaking of bread and wine. Nothing too demanding or fancy. Prayer is as simple as addressing “Our Father who is in heaven.” All the elaborate rituals and sacrifices in Jewish Law have been rendered redundant by the sacrifice of God’s son.
Yet often we too need to hear the question God asked through the prophet Malachi, “‘A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?’ says the Lord Almighty.”
It was the Gentile woman who knew who he was and what he could do for her. Right from the start she addressed him as “Lord, Son of David.” And she told him that it was fine to be just a dog in his household but you are my master. Your crumbs are all I want.
Faith drew her to him. But I think the greatness of her faith lies in the honour she accords to him.
“Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.”