Scripture Readings: Genesis 45:1-15 & Matthew 15:21-28
In today’s text, the urgent pleas by Judah on behalf of Benjamin and his father caused Joseph to break emotionally. Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers with great emotion: I am Joseph! Is my father still living?
Joseph wanted his brothers to know who he was and then he wanted to be reassured of his father’s welfare. He said nothing about his treatment by his brothers twenty-two years before. Rather, his brothers were terrified at his presence due to their brutal treatment of him. All the gracious and generous treatment by Joseph was forgotten due to their fear.
However, Joseph tried to assure them that they were not to be distressed for selling him into slavery. He realized that it was to save lives that God sent him ahead of them. Four times he stated that God was behind the events of his life.
Joseph also revealed to his brothers the knowledge he had that the present famine would last for another five years. He urged them to bring their father Jacob back with them and to make plans to live in Egypt. Joseph anticipated his brothers’ repentance and made plans for where they could live so they could be near him. To encourage Jacob to make the move, he was to be told about all the honour he received in Egypt.
Joseph didn’t require that his brothers make the first move in seeking forgiveness. Even before their repentance Joseph had treated them generously and graciously when he had every right to treat them with bitterness.
Embracing first his brother Benjamin and then all the brothers, Joseph then kissed them all and wept for joy. Afterward his brothers talked with him, and Joseph explained his unbelievable journey of the last twenty-two years. Joseph and his family experienced unity and reconciliation that took place in the providence and intervention of God. He believed that God’s promise and blessings were being fulfilled in their lives and faith journey through suffering, forgiveness, reunion, and uniting. Reconciliation is possible when people are willing to confess, forgive, and be forgiven. Faith in the sovereignty of God allows the believer to be forgiving and uniting.
Our families and communities and countries are full of broken relationships that need to be recovered. But reconciliation or unity requires the forgiveness and love that must be offered and accepted. In our journeys, believing God’s Word will come true can help us be patient in the difficulties of life. May we all experience restoration, reconciliation, and unity in the love of Christ.
In Matthew 15, Jesus focuses on the inner heart of faith rather than a person’s nationality or an outward trait. A Gentile woman and the centurion and some Gentiles express greater faith in Jesus than the Jews in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus manifests his acceptance of their hearts and faith by the healings and feedings and teachings.
In those days, Jews avoided Gentile territory out of prejudice and fear since there was a popular misconception regarding ceremonial cleanness and broken relationships. Jesus’ journey into Gentile territory took place immediately after the debate with the Jerusalem Jewish leaders. Jesus was not abandoning Israel, but he demonstrated that their faith was inadequate.
When the woman heard of Jesus’ arrival, she came to him. She pursued Jesus in her desperation and cried, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” But Jesus ignored the woman, walking along the road without answering a single word. The disciples noticed and were annoyed, but the woman was following Jesus and his disciples along the road.
Jesus finally stopped and gave a reason why he should not honour her request. He seemed to express that his current priority is for the lost sheep of Israel. But the woman came close to Jesus and knelt before him. The verb knelt is the common word that means “to worship”. There are differences between Israel’s false and superficial worship and the Gentile woman’s genuine and heart-felt response to Jesus. This woman knew she needed a Savior, but Israel thought they were doing fine on their own.
In that day, dogs as pets were far less common than today. Jews commonly referred to Gentiles as “dogs,” meaning “unclean, wild dogs.” This word explained the Jews’ attitude toward Gentiles. Jesus was saying it was not right for the children’s portion to go to the dogs.
In verse 27, we can find the contrast between Jesus’ statement and the woman’s response. She responded with surprising wisdom, humbly acknowledging her place, and understanding the social-cultural context, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” She worded her response not as a contradiction of what Jesus had said but as an extension of the statements Jesus had presented. She seemed to understand more of the reality of the moment than the disciples did.
Moreover, she displayed humility by continuing to refer to herself and other Gentiles as dogs and to Israel as their masters. At the same time, she called on the compassion of God, who promised blessings on all nations. It was because her love for her child and her willingness to heal her child were great, and she believed that Jesus was Lord and would heal her child.
Jesus saw the woman’s heart of faith and said, “Woman, you have great faith!” Clearly, Jesus was deeply touched by such mature and persistent faith in this Gentile woman. Jesus assured her that her deepest desire had been granted. Just as with the centurion’s servant, Jesus performed a long-distance healing. Matthew records that the woman’s daughter was healed that very hour. Just like the woman, may we persistently seek Jesus with great faith in our lives and faith journeys.
Jesus had come to bring believers of all nations into one kingdom and one church, but he had come first to keep his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There would no longer be a distinction between Jew and Gentile. God’s covenant blessings would be equally available to both and all nations. The Lord had demonstrated that he valued and loved the Gentiles.
In today’s text, Jesus found incredible faith in a Gentile woman. She was willing to break through the barriers and boundaries, and her word and action showed her faith. The woman came to Jesus with an unshakable conviction that God’s mercy is enough for her daughter and for herself. Jesus witnessed such a great faith from the Gentile woman and commended her great faith and granted her request with delight. May we cast ourselves on God in helplessness, acknowledging the Lord’s power, love, and wisdom as our only source of help.
What are we prepared to do to repair a relationship? What is our desire for restoration and reconciliation and union? We remember that the woman came close to Jesus and knelt before him. She believed in Jesus and worshiped Him. Jesus found great faith in a gentile woman and commended her.
May we rejoice that God’s love and promise for Israel was extended to Gentiles and all nations and fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. True faith persists, guided by humility and truth and love. Our faith persists, led by the Holy Spirit. Today, may we have genuine faith and heart-felt response to Jesus together.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)