Harsh Saying to Gentile Woman

As harsh as it seems to read of Jesus equating the Canaanite woman to a dog, it apparently did not offend her at all. This is one of only two occasions in the Bible where jesus healed a gentile in gentile territory. The healing of the Roman centurion's servant was the other. In both instances, Jesus expressed a willingness to heal because of the faith exhibited. However, it is a historical fact that God used the Jews as His chosen vehicle for revealing himself to the world. As stated in Romans 1:16, the gospel is "the power of God for salvation; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile". The rest of the world did receive salvation through the Jews directly, as it was a Jew who hung on the cross for the sins of the world. So Jesus was not excluding the Canaanite woman or disparaging her value, but rather was plainly stating the mechanism God had chosen to graft in the non-Jews. And even though the word "dog" is offensive, it helps to know that the Greek word refers to a household pet and is a diminutive word akin to "doggie". Jesus was making the point that the Gentiles were not to be fed before the Jews, but that they were still beloved members of the household. That the Jews are God's chosen people is a fact, but Gentiles with faith in Christ are called "sons of God", which certainly indicates acceptance.

Tomorrow's reading: Mark 8:22-9:13; Matt. 16:13-17:13; Luke 9:18-36