To Heal Or Not To Heal

Have you ever wondered why Jesus referred to the woman in Matthew 15 as a dog?  The gospels don't report him specifically calling any one else a dog.  Even the Romans who made requests didn't receive an insult like that.  So, what did she do to deserve such a comment?

The rest of the story lies in location, location, location.  She was from the area of Tyre and Sidon, along the coastline in the region known as Phoenicia.  So? You might think.

Well, the country of Phoenicia started out by helping Israel.  Over the years, Israel accepted the idolatry brought in by a Phoenician queen.  Then by the time Israel was invaded by the Babylonians, the Phoenicians turned their backs on them, celebrated their removal from the land, and sold those who escaped captivity as slaves.  It was so bad that God himself spoke against them through his prophets Amos, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah.  (A Visual Guide To Bible Events)  So, of course the people of Judea and Galilee had very little respect or compassion for anyone in this area.

It's no wonder the disciples were begging Jesus to send the woman away in verse 23.  They didn't want to give anything to those who had treated their ancestors so poorly.  (I'm sure they had already attempted to keep her away from their leader, but she wouldn't go.)

Here's an aside thought.  They were 60-90 miles away from where Jesus was doing his teaching and, yet, she already knew about him and his work.  Oh, how news travels.  Seeing a large group of strangers coming into town, wearing clothing from the Galilee area got her attention.  Finding him at the center of the group, she kept calling out to him by a proper description too . . . Son of David.  She knew, he had the solution to her daughter's problems.

And, what does Jesus do?  After a faith-filled answer he gives her want she desires.  Can you say forgiveness?

So, I see two things here.  Jesus' move to Capernaum was working and the word was getting out. And, he allowed healing to any one whose faith caused them to call out to him.  He still does.