At first glance this passage...
Illustration
At first glance this passage may challenge our adoration of Jesus, for it appears that he refuses a woman's pleadings simply because she is not Jewish. Even if one realizes that the word translated "dogs" denotes beloved family pets, the sting of Jesus' reply remains. It might be helpful actually to hear the woman's request -- was her begging expressed in a demanding tone of voice? Was her attitude that of self-pity, demanding that the world pay its debt to her? Whatever her attitude, Jesus' response reminds us that God's blessings come to us as expressions of grace. In Battersea, London, England, the tombstone of one Owen Moore is inscribed with this regret: Gone away
Owin' more
Than he could pay.
In a real sense, all of us owe more than we could ever pay. If a strict balance sheet were kept, perhaps we, like that Syrophonecian woman, might hope to receive no more than the crumbs that fall from God's table.
-- Bristow
Owin' more
Than he could pay.
In a real sense, all of us owe more than we could ever pay. If a strict balance sheet were kept, perhaps we, like that Syrophonecian woman, might hope to receive no more than the crumbs that fall from God's table.
-- Bristow
