Thursday, January 21, 2010

Breaking the Mold

Each day I will be posting from the daily Bible Reading plan we will be doing at West Side. On weekdays we will be going through the New Testament. On the weekends we will read passages from the Old Testament books of Psalms and Proverbs. We invite you to join along.

Today we see a great contrast in our reading (Matthew 15). First some Pharisees come to Jesus and question him about why his disciples break the tradition of the elders. Jesus then calls them out just like he has done many other times (I picture these encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees creating great tension). Following this we see a Canaanite woman come to Jesus begging and pleading that he would heal her daughter.

The first group comes to Jesus thinking their status in eternity is set. They believe they are saved by how well they keep God’s law. This woman approaches Jesus probably out of his reputation. She is a Gentile. She is a despised person to Jewish people. But she has heard about Jesus, knows enough about Jewish people, and comes to him on her knees. Because of her faith Jesus heals her daughter.

Jesus again is foreshadowing for his disciples the future ministry they will have. While His earthly ministry was directed towards God’s chosen people, he did not leave Gentiles out. By healing this Canaanites daughter, he showed that His kingdom was not limited to Jews only. What a blessing that is for us. Jesus came so that ALL may call upon his name. Thank you God!

1 comment:

gregwhite said...

The gentile woman called Him Lord and recognized her need for His Mercy. She knew He had the power to give Mercy and heal her daughter. She had emptied her self if all pride. We all must empty our selves in order that He may live through us. I love the phrase, Nothing to the cross I bring, only to the cross I cling. He is an Awesome Lord!