A Dog?

Matthew 15:25-6 - But she came and prostrated herself before him saying, "Lord, help me." He answered her and said, "It is not right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."

This is one of the hardest passages in the bible, especially for those who wish to think of Jesus as always meek and mild. The fact that in refusing her help he also calls her a dog is just twisting the wound unnecessarily. It is hard to read and think about. Yet, it gives us an idea of how Jewish people thought about themselves and others. They may or may not have felt that all others were "dogs," yet, there was the separation of themselves and outsiders as clean and unclean. There was a sense of superiority over others.

It also gives a glimpse into Jesus' human side! He has just told the disciples that he has only been sent to Israel and thinks he is somehow not allowed to help this woman. Clearly it is a crisis for his ministry. The disciples are not concerned about her daughter, only about the attention. Jesus is concerned about his mission. It seems that by calling her a dog he may be hoping she will go away. At any rate, he has chosen his side - err on the side of caution, staying within the rules, and keeping a focus.