Honestly, I really don’t fully understand Jesus’ action here. Granted the Canaanite woman was in the category of an “enemy” of Israel proper, but ministering to Gentiles before had been no problem. In fact earlier on while he was going to the ruler’s house to heal his dead daughter, he stopped to heal a woman with bleeding issues. But now when this Canaanite woman comes to him, “Jesus did not answer a word.” She literally had to get down on her knees and plead with him!
But one thing I do understand about this is that if she had taken offense at Jesus, she would never have got the healing. As one pastor puts it, “the kingdom lies just beyond offense.” And that was certainly the case for this woman.
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Memorized: Matthew 15:21-39 (Feb 9)
