I hope you didn’t miss last week’s post, A Sinner’s Tale. It described the Pharisee who was too proud to see his own sin and a sinful woman who poured her tears of repentance out at the feet of Jesus.
Oh, what it must have been like to physically be at the feet of Jesus. I have, many times, brought my sins and sorrows to His feet and can confidently say, I know He has forgiven me and comforted me. But I long for the day, I will be able to look Him in the face with gratitude for all the He has done for me.
There is an amazing story in Matthew 15 when a lady knelt at the feet of Jesus for healing for her daughter.
The story begins in verse 21. A Canaanite woman came after Jesus and His disciples, crying out and begging Him Lord, have mercy on me.
The disciples tried to dismiss her but she knelt before Jesus and begged Him, “Lord, help me!”
Then this very interesting conversation takes place. The discussion over bread and throwing it to the dogs seems very confusing, after all, she is asking for her daughter to be healed.
Matthew 15:24-28 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Looking further and closer into this conversation and these few lines, we can see a glimpse of the heart of Jesus so beautifully.
He is merciful, loving, gracious, good, just, forgiving, a comforter, truthful, compassionate, all-powerful and this is not even the completeness of who He is. Absolutely, amazing, isn’t it?
Jesus stated to this woman He had come for the lost sheep of Israel. This was a Canaanite woman. This was a group of people from Genesis that were cursed to be the lowest of the servants. They were a hated people.
He was making clear to her that he had a purpose and it was to save Israel. What He was doing was seeing where her faith was.
Jesus had healed many and He wanted to know if she was there because of faith or because she wanted a quick fix.
He was saying the bread, was for His children, Israel. He was asking her why He should throw crumbs or a bit of mercy in her direction.
In the face of Jesus, this woman knows where she stands. She knows what she deserves. Humbly, she says even the dogs, referring to herself, would take a crumb of mercy that fell her way from the master.
His response, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
Just like the sinful woman that we saw humble herself in Simon’s house, at the feet of Jesus, we see this woman humble herself before Jesus.
Both instances, Jesus shows us that gender, race, and sin are all on the same playing field with Him. He has bigger concerns and that comes out in His response to the disciples. I am here to save the lost and whoever comes to me, I will save.
Both woman, lost. Both women showed great faith. Both women humbled themselves at great risk to fall at Jesus’ feet seeking His mercy and He granted it both times. Just a beautiful story of who He really is.
Do you have anything today that needs to be surrendered at the feet of Jesus?
We can see from this story (and many others) that Jesus’ purpose was the heart of the matter. Saving lost souls. It was not limited to a people but given to all people who choose to humble themselves before Him.
Sometimes we are afraid to surrender ourselves and our situations. We fear rejection or further shame or hurt. We feel we may be denied.
I cannot say what Jesus will choose to heal or how He will choose your path of forgiveness. I can be certain of this. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
What He did for those women, He can do for you! How and when He chooses is up to Him but a quick glance back through these stories and you can see His faithfulness, mercy, love, grace, goodness, just, forgiveness, comfort, truthfulness, compassion, and power.
Do you need a little time at the feet of Jesus today?
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This week’s featured friend is Valerie Murray from Cord of 6. Valerie is doing a great series now on trading fear for faith. She is giving practical steps on facing fear and moving forward. I am glad you are here, Valerie.
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WOW! Thank you all for coming here and for the 79 Amazing posts from last week. This party has been wonderful and it is thanks to you, friends, who link-up with us and those who stop by and read and SHARE! Thank you!
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Your posts are always excellent, Jaime! Thanks for the linkup.
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Susan. It really blesses my heart that you are here.
Thanks so much for hosting!
Thank you so much for joining us, Debbie.
So thankful He's always waiting and ready to hear and answer. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for hosting today. ((grace upon grace))
Jaime, this is wonderful, because much of the time we Christians believe that we have an inside track to the mind of God. As you so wisely said, our views on gender, race, and sin should be filtered through His Word and handled with much grace — as His Son did while He was here on this planet.
I have several people choosing the darkness that I need to surrender to the feet of Jesus and believe that He is helping them as I pray and thank Him for the answers!
Beautiful article. God's love is infinite. I can testify.
Thank you for this amazing post this morning; something I needed to remind me to be still and sit at the feet of Jesus
I think that we all do on a daily basis. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for hosting and have a great rest of the week.
I feel a bit like this woman today, Jaime, since my oldest is facing something of a health crisis point. He had surgery in Dec and his eight inch incision is pulling open. The dr has given him an antibiotic–hoping that will resolve the issue. But if it doesn't, he may have to have further more invasive surgery to correct it. And all of this is near his spine. So I'm sort of a nervous wreck today and am pleading off and on throughout my day for the Lord to heal him. Yet I'm also reminded of the words in my post at MM–pray "open-handed" prayers. Yep! God is asking me to walk the talk today. Your prayers would be appreciated, my friend! And thank you for always bringing us back to the truths of the Scriptures!
Jaime, I love the example of faith the Caananite women gives us. I posted about the Bread of Life today so thinking of the "crumbs" she longed for in light of that is interesting. I would love to join the group on Pinterest if you would add me please!
Thanks for stopping by Charlie. It took me some study before I understood this story but when the light bulb goes on what a way God can reveal Himself to us. Amazing! I sent you an invite to pin with us. Please remember to pin your own page only at the blog party board. If you have other things you would like to pin let me know and I can add you to my other boards. Have a great week.
I'm so thankful that I can stand confidently before our God in spite of my past. He is a good, good Father. Thank you Jamie.
Patti
What a powerful post! Jesus is always looking at the heart, isn't He? And when He finds those who see their own spiritual poverty, He forgives and blesses whatever that my look like. Thanks for sharing this and for hosting! Blessings!
Jamie, I have always had to sit and ponder what Jesus meant when he said what He did to the Canaanite about the crumb and the dogs. Just recently I looked a commentary explanation for this verse. But the way you explained it actually gave me so much more clarity! I thank you for that!
Great reminders that Jesus is ALWAYS approachable and ALWAYS ready to be merciful to us.
Blessings,