August 11, 2020
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture today comes from Matthew 15:25: But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” (NRSV)
A little backstory is helpful - a woman from Cana, the “wrong” side of the tracks according to the Jewish people, shouts after Jesus for him to have mercy on her daughter who is tormented by a demon. I am certain she expected Jesus to at least make a reply, but he does not answer her at all. Then the disciples beseech Jesus to send her away. Jesus' reply is that he came only for “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” In other words, she is not on his radar and his comment sounds as though she does not “deserve” his mercy.
The woman does not, however, give up. She ignores even further the “laws,” or at least the social mores, and approaches Jesus, speaking directly to him. The rest of the story is that Jesus does hear, and even grants her request.
So, did Jesus change his mind because of their encounter, or did he always know his mission and used this encounter as a teaching moment for the disciples and all who followed? That question has been debated, and I suppose will be, forever.
Perhaps the bottomline is not to have a definitive answer to the question, but a thankful heart and mind that Jesus DID come for all. That his love, mercy, and grace knows no boundaries.
No boundaries at all. Thanks be to God!
Blessings. And prayers.
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