October 11
Mark 7:24-30; Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:31-37; Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 8:1-10; Matthew 15:32-16:4; Mark 8:11-21; Matthew 16:5-12
Perhaps this is the hardest passage to understand in the Gospels. Jesus interacts with a Gentile woman and it has been used by skeptics to claim that Jesus is racist, antiwoman, and thus a sinner. The Bible is clear that Jesus is morally perfect and without sin. How are we to understand Jesus’ interaction with this woman in Mark 7 and Matthew 15? Jesus already healed a Roman centurion’s servant and upheld his faith as an example. In his interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, he crosses both ethnic and gender lines. Jesus loves and values women in his ministry. Women disciples followed him and funded his ministry. So, what is going on with his use of the word “dogs?”
In the gospels, Jesus describes people as pigs, tombs, serpents, and here dogs. He uses dogs to illustrate that the priority in his early ministry was Israel and not the Gentiles. Though his kingdom would ultimately encompass all nations, tribes, and languages, at this moment it was primarily offered to Jews. This woman responds that regardless of Jesus’ Jewish ministry, surely, he can still do something about her predicament, and Jesus does. He removes the demon from her daughter and shows his love to this Gentile woman. Despite Jesus’ tough sayings, parables, and illustrations, he wants us to lean into him. We need to trust him, know he loves us, and seek him.
Father God, thank you for your perfect love. Amen.
How can we learn to lean into Jesus rather than pull away in moments of confusion or discomfort?
Perhaps this is the hardest passage to understand in the Gospels. Jesus interacts with a Gentile woman and it has been used by skeptics to claim that Jesus is racist, antiwoman, and thus a sinner. The Bible is clear that Jesus is morally perfect and without sin. How are we to understand Jesus’ interaction with this woman in Mark 7 and Matthew 15? Jesus already healed a Roman centurion’s servant and upheld his faith as an example. In his interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, he crosses both ethnic and gender lines. Jesus loves and values women in his ministry. Women disciples followed him and funded his ministry. So, what is going on with his use of the word “dogs?”
In the gospels, Jesus describes people as pigs, tombs, serpents, and here dogs. He uses dogs to illustrate that the priority in his early ministry was Israel and not the Gentiles. Though his kingdom would ultimately encompass all nations, tribes, and languages, at this moment it was primarily offered to Jews. This woman responds that regardless of Jesus’ Jewish ministry, surely, he can still do something about her predicament, and Jesus does. He removes the demon from her daughter and shows his love to this Gentile woman. Despite Jesus’ tough sayings, parables, and illustrations, he wants us to lean into him. We need to trust him, know he loves us, and seek him.
Father God, thank you for your perfect love. Amen.
How can we learn to lean into Jesus rather than pull away in moments of confusion or discomfort?
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