Even the dogs

Matthew 15:21-28 NLT

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. [22] A Gentile woman who lived there came to Him, pleading, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely." [23] But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. "Tell her to go away," they said. "She is bothering us with all her begging." [24] Then Jesus said to the woman, "I was sent only to help God's lost sheep-the people of Israel." [25] But she came and worshiped Him, pleading again, "Lord, help me!" [26] Jesus responded, "It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs." [27] She replied, "That's true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters' table." [28] "Dear woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed.

It's amazing to see how quickly our new puppy has slotted into our "family".

At meal times he's learned to sit quietly (well almost always) and wait to see if some titbit comes his way from our table.

If it doesn't happen as quickly as he would like he gives his paw to encourage and remind us.

He has faith in our generosity, just like this precious lady in the above passage had faith in Jesus' compassion.

Before Jesus' New Covenant - we were known as the dogs of the Gentiles - outsiders to God's promises as laid out in the Old Testament. Here, in this passage we see such an outsider "gate-crashing" Jesus' ministry.

She must have heard about Jesus and, unlike most of His own people, recognised Him as the Messiah and she worshiped Him.

Her faith led her to persist even though Jesus ignored her at first.

She dared to reason with the Son of God, citing how dogs wait to eat scraps from their master's table.

There's a big lesson here about prayer - do we get put off from praying about something when there's seemingly no divine response?

Are you longing to see a loved one healed or saved? Does it look like nothing is happening - that your plea is being ignored? Be like our puppy, be like that lady - continue to look, to remind and even to beg.

As Jesus said "ask", "seek", "knock" - so now we, as Gentile dogs, are part of God's family and inherit the precious promises!

Ephesians 2:11, 13 NLT

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders.But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.

Hallelujah!