Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. ~ Matthew 15:21-28
This is one of my favorite stories about Jesus. I love it first because it shows how human Jesus was. We tend to see the divine in him, but he also was a fully flesh and bones man.
One with prejudices like others of his tribe.
I also love this story because of this woman. This mother has nothing to lose. She is undoubtedly afraid to approach this group of men to beg for healing for her daughter. It would be like a Muslim woman approaching a group of Orthodox Jews living on the West Bank, or a black woman approaching a group of White Christian Nationalists.
And yet for her daughter she worked up the courage to do that.
She worked up the courage to not take Jesus' slight.
She worked up the courage to change Jesus' mind.
Changing our minds about things doesn't seem to be something we much like to do these days. But if Jesus can change his about a woman from a rival tribe, maybe we can change our minds about any number of things as well.
Is there something God is calling you to change your mind about?
Open me to the things you are calling me to change my mind and my heart about, letting love be that which guides me. Amen