Mateus 15

A crumb for a little dog

21 Going out from there Jesus withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And then, a Canaanite woman coming from those parts cried out to Him saying: "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demonized." 23 But He answered her not a word.*"Son of David"—as a Canaanite she appealed to the Jewish Messiah, upon whom she had no claim. But how did she know that? I suspect there is more to this story than meets the eye. So His disciples came and urged Him saying, "Send her away, because she is crying out after us." 24 But in answer He said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."*Although His ultimate mission included the whole world (see the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20), His earthly ministry was directed to the "house of Israel". 25 So she came and worshiped Him saying, "Lord, help me!"*Here she drops the appeal to the Messiah—evidently the Lord spoke loudly enough for her to hear. 26 But in answer He said, "It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 So she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."*We may feel that Jesus was harsh with her, but in this way He put into bold relief her faith and humility—and she got her crumb! 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her: "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.