Matthew 15:21-28
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
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 the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Sharing meals was an important part of Jesus' ministry...It wasn't only about the meal and food, but about building relationships and creating opportunities for connection with others...It was also about learning from our Master Teacher...He did miracles in some of His meals with others...Jesus intentionally included a diverse group of people at His table...This challenged social norms and religious hierarchies of His time...He showed that His message of LOVE and acceptance extended to everyone, regardless of their background or social status...No matter how "weird" or how much of an "outcast" they were, He included them...By sharing meals with people on the margins of society, with those of different ethnicity, Jesus opened the door for them to hear His message and potentially change their lives and strengthen their faith...One story mentions a wealthy man named Zacchaeus, whose lifestyle was changed by Jesus, suggesting the transformative power of Jesus' teachings...
Jesus' response about "everyone on the side of truth listens to me" suggests that He saw Truth as something discovered through dialogue and relationship, not just through following religious rules...Sharing meals created a space for this dialogue with open conversations and the exploration of Truth...We can find Truth through connection with others...We find the Truth, the Way, and Life through Him...
There is a Universality of God's LOVE in Jesus sharing a meal with others...Jesus' inclusive table fellowship demonstrates that God's LOVE is for everyone...He doesn't discriminate based on wealth, social status, ethnicity, or past actions...He shared a meal with a Canaanite woman, who wanted her daughter healed...She had faith in Jesus, despite being from Canaan...This story challenges the notion that Jesus' ministry was solely for the Israelites...He shows compassion to the Canaanite woman despite her ethnicity...The woman's persistence in the face of initial resistance is a powerful message about believing in what you pray for...It teaches us that faith overrules division...The story transcends social and religious barriers, highlighting that faith in Jesus is what truly matters...
The act of sharing meals can be seen as an expression of hospitality and generosity...Jesus embodied this value by welcoming people to His table...Jesus' hospitality was a Great Learning Experience for all those who ate with Him and met Him...They learned more about Him eating with Him...He once shared a meal with the smallest amount of food and fed five thousand men who were following, listening to Him, and learning from Him...
Jesus is our Example and how we should be...Jesus' actions set an example for His followers to continue this tradition of inclusivity and community building...The message of Jesus' table fellowship is still relevant today...We can learn to build bridges across social divides, practice radical hospitality, and create spaces for meaningful conversations and connection with our neighbors...Jesus' practice of sharing meals with a diverse group of people teaches us about the importance of relationships, the power of transformation, the universality of God's LOVE, and the importance of building bridges across social divides...