Who let the dogs in?

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." (Matthew 15:21-26)

Jesus left a predominately Jewish region and went to a predominately non-Jewish (Gentile) region. There he was met by a Gentile woman who had obviously heard about Jesus and his ability to heal. She approached him both humbly and reverently, yet Jesus initially didn't respond. But, even at the disciples' entreaties, Jesus also did not send her away. When Jesus did finally respond, his words seemed harsh - lacking the compassion we expect.

This unnamed woman must have invented the acronym, PUSH (pray until something happens), because she took Jesus' words and turned them in her favor - winning both respect and the healing she sought for her daughter.

Perhaps, just like Jesus' mother had to push him to perform the miracle at the wedding in Cana, which launched his ministry, this woman was a launching point for the next phase of Jesus' mission. Jesus went on (in the remainder of Matthew 15) to heal, teach, and feed the masses in Gentile territory.

As difficult as it is to have God say "No" to our requests, it's even harder to feel ignored by God. But if we can PUSH through, we may find a "Yes" that extends beyond ourselves, to our communities and our world. Pray Until Something Happens!

27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:27-28)