Service and Sermon: August 16th, 2020
Leighmoor Uniting Church
-Rev Barbara Allen
Hymn Suggestions
TIS 156: Morning has broken
TIS 693: Come as you are
TIS 154: Great is your faithfulness
TIS 232: O the deep, deep love of Jesus
TIS 690: Beauty for brokenness
TIS 653: This is the day of new beginnings
Prayers of Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Confession
Amazing God,
You fill the skies with lights for the morning, and for the night time.
You fill our lives with light: bright candles in the form of families, friends, and faith.
We thank you for the light of the world, your Son, Jesus Christ.
As light decreases the darkness around it, may your light lessen our anxieties.
We thank you for the gifts of simplicity.
During this time of covid 19 may we remember the lives you meant us to live, where we remember others, where we have time for you, where we are mindful of our many blessings.
We thank you for priceless, precious, eternal gifts of love, of compassion, of hope.
And yet, O God, we are a forgetful lot.
Help us to remember the bounty we have-rather than the things we do not have.
Help us to sit in quiet reflection, drawing on our memories of good times, rather than be stuck grumbling about what we cannot do at this time in history.
May we be reminded that prayer is action, and praying for someone, or for the community, or for the world-is an act of hope, an act of faith, an act of blessing.
Forgive us when we think small-rather than when we are empowered by you, supported by your Spirit, to think BIG.
And in a time of silence we remember other things for which we seek forgiveness.
(silence).
God is love.
Through Christ our sins are forgiven.
(thanks be to God).
Take hold of this forgiveness, and live your life in the power of the Spirit.
Amen
Bible Readings
Genesis 45: 1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: 21-28
Sermon
Crumbs.
Crummy.
What does the word ‘crummy’ mean? It originally meant something that was good. It also meant ‘plump’-referring back to the soft or fleshy part of bread (as opposed to the crust). Among soldiers, the word, instead of meaning something ‘good’ came to mean ‘lousy’, initially in the literal sense-infested with lice-hence our sense of ‘crummy’ to mean inferior, poor. The reference was to the eggs of a louse, which were like crumbs of bread.
So crumbs- are they good or bad? Plump or inferior?
Do the crumbs from your slice of bread or toast, get eaten, or are they rinsed from your plate?
Perhaps they get vacuumed up by your dog! Our dog Harry nearly always gets a bit of the crust from a slice of toast, or a cut off wedge from a crumpet.
Vs 26: ‘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 master’s table.”
When today’s reading from Matthew is set against its background, it becomes one of the most moving and extraordinary in the life of Jesus.
Jesus has moved on- he is now in the region of Tyre, part of Syria which lay between Galilee and the sea coast. Jesus is in Gentile territory.
Why?
This incident is wedged between two accounts of feeding-feeding the 5,000 (the lectionary reading 2 weeks ago), and the feeding of 4,000 (found at the end of this chapter). Bread. Crumbs. Lots of them.
In the episode before today’s story, there’s a dispute about what is clean and what is unclean-the debate with the Pharisees in regard to ritual cleansing
-and then, this event, the movement into foreign territory, into Gentile land.
Why?
This is an important move on the part of Jesus, for Jesus moves out of Galilee.
He was in danger:
1. The Galilean’s support for Jesus after the feeding of the 5,000 angered Herod Antipas and his supporters. Herod was to be feared; he had already had John the Baptist killed, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill again.
Jesus was regarded as a threat, a menace.
2. Some Jewish rulers were against him because of the dispute over ‘uncleanliness’. He broke rules and regulations. Perhaps some may have seen him as a threat to their influence.
The point is, Jesus went north for peace (many were following him due to his power, the miracles of healing, the miracles of feeding-his fame had spread)
Or to escape danger
-or both
For the next few months, Jesus and his twelve disciples travel to Gentile lands.
This is when we are shown the first glimmerings of understanding of Jesus’ true identity and mission: I’ll come back to this later.
So here is Jesus, Jesus on the move, moving out of his native habitat Galilee into foreign territory.
WE are on the fringe with Jesus
It is important to note that when the gospel writers use geography, they use the setting to tell us something about Jesus, or something about his mission.
And indeed, IS HE REALLY ENTERING FOREIGN TERRITORY?
Joshua 19: 29: ‘the boundary turns to Ramah, reaching to the fortified city of Tyre.’
-where is Jesus? In the region of Tyre!
And to continue from Joshua: ‘This is the inheritance of the tribe of Asher according to their families-these towns and their villages.’
Perhaps it was not a strange land into which Jesus came, it was land God had given them long ago.
But it is also worth noting, that maybe for that very reason, great bitterness had built up between the Jews and the Gentiles in this border region between Tyre and Galilee. There was social and economic prejudice. It had been enemy territory since the time of Jezebel.
So, Jesus goes north, for rest, or to escape, or maybe for both-
But his fame has spread, he finds no rest.
He is sought be someone who needs him.
-he is sought be someone who needs him.
[In Mark, he enters a house, and a woman approaches him, but in Matthew’s account, she is outside]:
A Gentile woman comes out and starts shouting “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David, my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
Jesus doesn’t answer her; indeed, the disciples are embarrassed, they urge him to “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
But the woman continues: “Lord, help me.”
“Lord, help me.”
A Gentile woman approaches him, asking Jesus to heal her daughter.
The request of a desperate mother. We understand her.
This is the second time in this Gospel that we hear that a Gentile has requested healing. The first was in Chapter Eight, when a centurion approaches Jesus and asks him to heal his servant. And now- well, there is an element of suspense here. Remember-this is enemy territory.
Jesus’ reply is shocking:
“It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
Does Jesus insult her?
Does he say “it is my people, the children, who need me, who need to be fed. It is not fair to throw their food away to outsiders, to enemies, to those who are less deserving.”
This is even more shocking in Matthew’s account; in Mark, he says “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
Here in Matthew it is not ‘to the children first’ but ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food’!
Does Jesus say that his people, the Jews, are to be fed-given the bread of heaven?
How does this fit in with our image of Jesus? Do we struggle with this, feeling that this woman was hard done by?
In those times, dogs were not the well loved guardians that they are today in Western society.
To be called ‘a dog’ was a name of dishonor.
For the Greeks, DOG meant a shameless and audacious woman.
A female dog.
For the Jews, it was equally a term of contempt.
Philippians 3:2: ‘Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh.’
Rev 22:15: ‘Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters.’
-not exactly a compliment!
Goliath taunts David: “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”
In Isaiah 56, the word is used to describe Gentiles:
‘The dogs have a mighty appetite, they never have enough.’
And yet…and yet…
Jesus did not use the usual word for dog, the word which described the wild dogs of the street. The word he used meant the little pet lap dogs of the house. So Jesus took the sting out of the word.
Also, dogs teach us about the God-given gifts of unconditional love, forgiveness, loyalty, devotion and joy. Dogs are mentioned 32 times in Scripture.
In my book I was there, a picture book about a dog following Jesus, and being present at many scenes in Jesus’ earthly life, (but not at this one!)I wrote:
‘Many have observed that ‘dog’ is ‘God’ spelt backwards; perhaps if we are willing to learn from our animals, we will gain insight into how much God loves each one of us (and how excited God is when we greet God in prayer).’
Sometimes, we could assume that being called ‘dog’ is a compliment rather than an insult!
Jesus did not shut the door; he said “Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Israel had the first offer of the gospel, then the others.
But what does this Gentile woman do? She has a faith that would not take “no” for an answer. She knows that Jesus’ message is too important to confine to only one particular group of people. The whole world needs to benefit from God’s redeeming word.
She approaches Jesus, replies to Jesus, insists that an outcast must benefit from the master’s graciousness. She is open to receive whatever is granted.
She said: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Crumbs-the good or the inferior? These crumbs, whatever Jesus can spare-are good, because they are divine leftovers.
In those days, there were no knives or forks, or serviettes, people ate with their hands and wiped their soiled hands on chunks of bread and then they would fling the bread away and the house dogs would eat it.
-layers and layers of meaning in this story
-this woman would not take “no” for an answer
-this woman dares to expect God’s gift in Jesus
-this story starts breaking down ancient barriers
-this Gentile woman had an understanding of who he was.
-she addresses him as “Lord, Son of David”
-she is one of the first Gentiles to turn to Jesus
If we use the symbol of the ‘dog’- this woman is as devoted and as faithful as a good dog.
Jesus sees her great faith, and acts accordingly.
This is a miracle story, but neither the miracle itself nor its effect is dwelt upon- (‘And her daughter was healed instantly’).
This story highlights another miracle – God’s salvation for both Jew and Gentile.
Later in Matthew, in Chapter 24: 14, this universal approach is emphasized:
‘This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations.’
God’s love stretches beyond our personal, familiar, and ethnic boundaries, as our love should.
As a good dog’s love does.
This is the way God loves: without favouritism, without partiality, with concern for all creation.
This Gentile woman’s encounter with Jesus opens us to a deeper awareness and recognition of Jesus’ mission, as well as an understanding of Jesus’ true identity.
The Gentile woman understood who he was-in stark contrast to the growing dullness of the twelve disciples.
In the next chapter, Jesus says to them: “You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive?”
It is ironic that, while others, such as the Gentile woman, were gaining a deeper awareness of who Jesus is, the twelve disciples, and others, were unable to fathom who Jesus is. The next story, about Jesus healing the blind, the mute, is, apart from the healing, an opportunity to point out the ‘blindness’ and ‘muteness’ of the Twelve.
-those unable to see what is in front of them.
-those unable to speak, or perhaps praise. Remember, the Gentile woman shouted “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David”
Jesus was on the move, moving out of Galilee, into foreign territory.
How did we get here?
Why are you reading this sermon?
Why are you part of the church family?
What journey brought you here?
Was it recent?
Was it long ago, somewhere in our past, perhaps we were brought to church, resting on our grandmother’s knees, or curled up in our mother’s arms.
There is a place for each one of us here.
But remember,
when you follow Jesus, be ready for surprises, unexpected circumstances, meeting people you didn’t expect to meet.
Be ready to enter foreign territory.
Jesus ventured into new territory.
Are we prepared to do the same? In faith?
Like the Gentile woman, are we desperate enough?
Will we not let go? Shall we shout it out?
We may not have a sick daughter, like the Gentile woman-the person may be ourselves.
Jesus’ final words to her are magnificent: “Woman, great is your faith.”
‘Great is your faith.’
The dog reference, from Isaiah is apt here: ‘The dogs have a mighty appetite, they never have enough.’
Hunger for Jesus, hunger for faith.
Last week, Jesus chided Peter, with “You of little faith” now “Woman, great is your faith.”
When we follow Jesus, we follow in faith. Our geography is not closed, or limited, but open. It is the opposite of being in lockdown!
Our future is not clearly mapped out; there are detours along the way,
BUT
Remember, our guide, our Saviour, our Lord and our friend, is waiting, alongside us, with out-stretched hands.
-take a step; he will catch us if (or perhaps when) we stumble.
We are of gentile stock. Let us give thanks to God for the persistent Gentile woman, who argued our case for inclusion!
Amen
Prayers of the People
O caring and compassionate Lord,
Remind us that you are in the midst of the world’s struggles.
We continue to pray for victims of the pandemic;
For those in aged care, for their families and friends.
For hospital staff, health workers, carers, police, the defence forces, and politicians.
For all who are trying to either find a cure, or help heal, or comfort.
We pray for those whose jobs or businesses are severely affected.
We pray for children everywhere-whether at home, being home-schooled, at school because they are classed as vulnerable, or in a country where they are receiving little nourishment.
We continue to pray for the citizens of Beirut.
We pray for those affected by covid 19 in other ways. Those unable to marry because of restrictions, those unable to celebrate significant anniversaries or birthdays with friends and families.
Help us to accept these restrictions, because by observing the boundaries of lockdown we are doing our bit for the health and safety of others.
Help us to continue in the hopeful and loving words of our daily prayer time.
We pray for successful diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East.
In the words our Saviour taught us we are confident when we pray to say:
‘Our Father…
Amen.’
Blessing
May the Father’s hand
keep you from stumbling,
the footprints of Jesus
give you confidence to follow,
and the fire of the Spirit
keep you warm and safe
in your walk with God this day.
Amen.
Leighmoor UC
16th August 2020
Rev Barbara Allen