Jesus’ Response To The Canaanite Woman

We see Jesus made three startling statements in Matthew 15:21-28 to a Canaanite woman (a gentile like us). Statements that are undoubtedly something we either have or will eventually have to wrestle with. Here we see a Canaanite woman approaching Jesus and requesting for Him to heal her daughter who was oppressed by demons. It seems rather apparent that Jesus seldom rejects anyone, yet, we find him not answering her in this one rare occasion.

“I was sent to the lost sheep of the household of Israel.” [Matthew 15:24] was the first controversial statement He made. The first thought I had was, “Wasn’t Jesus sent to save the world? Why would He say that He was sent to the lost sheep of the household of Israel?” This got me thinking and searching.

Following that, Jesus made a rather strong second statement that would probably make us squirm in awkwardness if we were to be present there and then. In his very own words, He said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” [Matthew 15:26] Did Jesus really say these words? How is it even possible for a loving Jesus to make such a “derogatory” remark?

I encourage us all to approach scripture by not trying to reason Jesus out of situations, fit him into our own human perception of what God looks like or sweep portions of scripture under the carpet for the fear of offense that may come with God’s sovereign election of Israel. Instead, try to wrestle through these words of Jesus and have His word reveal the areas of our hearts that may possibly be resisting the words and truths He so desires to reveal.