Pieces of Grace

“First let the children eat all they want,” [H]e told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

“Yes, Lord, she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”  Mark 7:27-28

In Jewish tradition, it was customary at Jewish tables for diners to use pieces of bread to wipe their fingers, since most of what they ate was with their fingers. After the bread was used, the piece was tossed onto the floor for the dogs to eat. So it was in the time of the Messiah.

To Jewish thought, a Jew always had priority over a gentile. In fact, Jews often referred to them as “dogs.” The term Jesus used with this Greek woman was a bit kinder.  It could be translated “puppy” (kunarion), i.e. household pets, and not scavengers.

This woman was asking Jesus to heal her daughter of an unclean spirit. While His reply might, at first might seem harsh and unfeeling, this woman was acquainted with Jewish prejudices of outsiders and was not offended.  Even though she knew the Messiah was there to feed the family first, she believed pieces of that Grace from that banquet table could be had.

Jesus saw that this gentile woman’s faith was strong and He wanted to test its mettle. In giving her the chance to stretch that faith, she demonstrated her sincere confidence in God’s authenticity, love, and power, and He healed her daughter.

Thanks to God’s grace, we can receive more than a few pieces of His favored love and attention. As did this gentile woman, we can come face-to-face with our Messiah and present our requests to Him. But unlike her, we won’t have to settle for pieces of grace to feed our hungry hearts.  We are no longer considered as puppies under the table, but as family.  And when He invites family to come and dine, it is now to feast fully on the Bread of Life, Christ Jesus (John 6:35).

Ken