“Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever been the victim of name calling? What about been made fun of? If not, count yourself lucky. If you have, you know the feeling. And, you probably know how much worse it hurts and how much greater the impact it is when the one lobbing the words is a family member, loved one, or person in authority. 

That is what happened here. First, He ignored her (15:23), but she kept coming. She called after Him again – He kept ignoring her to the point the disciples asked Him to turn her away. Finally, He responded – but not like you’d expect. He insulted her. Yeshua essentially called this woman a dog – He compared that helping her would be like feeding the children’s bread to little dogs. 

And the woman’s response? She made an appeal – “yes, but even the little dogs get the crumbs that fall to the ground.” And Yeshua answered her petition and healed her daughter that hour. I find great HOPE in this passage! 

Though I may “feel” forgotten, I am not. Though I may “feel” that I don’t belong or have a place, He provides. He came for me and for You. And whatever portion He has for us – even if it is a crumb, it’s more than enough. Don’t despise small beginnings. Don’t ignore the little things. That little thing may be bigger than you realize. 

Father – thank You. You are good and kind to me. All You do is good. All of Your ways are perfect and I trust You. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Matthew 15, Mark 7

October 19, 2022