Jesus went to the district of Tyre.
He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,
but he could not escape notice.
Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.
She came and fell at his feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,
and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied and said to him,
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.
The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed
and the demon gone.
He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,
but he could not escape notice.
Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.
She came and fell at his feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,
and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied and said to him,
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.
The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed
and the demon gone.
At first read I could get confused, maybe even a little frustrated, I am a father and I could only imagine need help with one of my children and having Jesus initially refuse would leave a bad taste in my mouth. But here the woman is persistent and her wish is granted. That says something to me. I don't think that God wants the easy followers. I don't think God likes to be used as an ATM or a Genie for quick fixes. God wants us fixed completely. I think God wants us transformed. I think that is in part why he sent his son to earth to live among us. I know there have been times I have prayed for things and then gave up because I didn't get what I wanted right away. I must not have want "whatever" that badly huh? I heard a pastor one time say that if God had a $1000 waiting for everyone at the altar each Sunday the church would be packed, but that most people don't realize that what is waiting at the altar is worth more than a mere $1000, and it's there every week. I guess my fault in the past has been that Jesus' way doesn't have blinking buttons, or fancy gadgets or a buy one get two free offer. To me these verses say, "I don't want easy followers because they will make for easy leavers."
Jesus,
I'm sorry if I give up too easily sometimes. You're awesome and I just don't always realize that. I get distracted by random fleeting things. I know that if I stick with you I will find love, peace and joy that only you can offer. Help me to have the fortitude to follow what is important. Help me to not loose sight of my mission. Help me to love others. Help me to share your word. Please don't give up on me. I know that I am a mess. I love you Jesus and I need you. Please heal me so that I may spend eternity with you in heaven.
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