Sunday 10 August, 2014

21 Jesus left Galilee and went to the area of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A woman from Canaan lived near Tyre and Sidon. She came to him and cried out, “Lord! Son of David! Have mercy on me! A demon controls my daughter. She is suffering terribly.” 23 Jesus did not say a word. So his disciples came to him. They begged him, “Send her away. She keeps crying out after us.” 24 Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the people of Israel. They are like lost sheep.” 25 Then the woman fell to her knees in front of him. “Lord! Help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to their dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said. “But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their owners’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! You will be given what you are asking for.” And her daughter was healed at that very moment.

Wow! It doesn’t matter how many times I read this passage I am always amazed, encouraged and challenged! I am in close relationship to this same Jesus, I am seated at the table with Jesus and I am sharing in the meal.

Do I realise that because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross I am one of the children at the table? Am I confident of my position or do I grovel under the table looking for scraps of blessing, provision, and help?  Do I approach Jesus with the kind of expectant and relentless faith this woman expressed?

God, please help me to see myself as one of your children seated at the table. Help me grasp that I may confidently ask you for help and that you will answer me. Amen.

Written by Beth Waugh