A FALLING CRUMBLE TO THE HUMBLE
- Key Verse
But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." (Matthew 15:27)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
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Central Truth
When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us at the proper time. (See also 1 Peter 5:5-6.)
Reflections
While I was growing up, my family had a precious Scottish terrier named Smitty. Like most dogs, Smitty was a regular fixture underneath the dinner table when the Mauritzens gathered to break bread. This required a certain degree of both persistence and deference on Smitty’s part as he panhandled for our “people food.” He particularly stayed close to my father, whose consistent affections towards dogs increased Smitty’s likelihood of receiving a spare morsel.
The Canaanite woman in today’s passage could identify with Smitty’s desire for “crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” After she pursued Jesus multiple times, He recognized her faith and humility.
Similar to the way my old family pet knew my dad to be full of kindness and generosity, our devoted friend on the Journey today was convinced of Jesus’ essential benevolence and goodness. The most striking aspect of the woman’s faith was her perspective of Christ. She was not Jewish; yet, she knew Him to be her master. From watching His life, she was confident that anything He could give her would be worth her humble pursuit. She was so assured of His greatness that she even professed to be satisfied with receiving scraps from His table like a dog.
These days, it would be rare for anyone to be willing to be compared to a dog being forced to beg. We are inundated with media and advertisements encouraging us to be self-reliant and get ahead in the game, and I know I certainly have difficulty putting myself in any position of need or reliance. Scripture tells us, however, that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6) As the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 was surely the recipient of grace, in addition to her daughter’s healing, I pray that, as believers in Christ, we all are aware of our fallen nature, His awesome character, and the grace that is being extended to bridge the gap when we humble ourselves in faith.
Discussion Questions
1. What does your worldview tell you about your position before God? Are you humble before Him? Or do you feel entitled to His grace and blessings?
2. Do you have the Canaanite woman's same confidence in Christ?
3. We are told to imitate Jesus in 1 Corinthians 11:1, so put yourself in His position. Would the crumbs falling from your table be as desirable as His, or would the scraps be characterized by selfishness, bitterness, anger, control, or other struggles?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Is there anything that you are praying for that seems impossible?
2. What did the woman have that made Jesus heal her daughter?
3. Are you praying with great faith?
Sue Bohlin
February 23, 2010 05:08 AM
Wonderful devo, Brooke! I loved how Jesus had a plan behind His silence and refusal to answer our friend in today's reading. It wasn't that He was being stubborn or uncaring; His silence created a space for the lady's faith to manifest itself in a way that blessed Jesus (He so loves our faith in Him!) and instructed those around her. And her story of grace ended up in scripture forever! I am encouraged to keep on trusting when God remains silent, remembering that His silence is part of His goodness and His provision for me.
Aaron G
February 23, 2010 06:08 AM
Great job Brooke! Your illustration on this passage made me think about my need for greater humility before God.
Cheryl Boyd
February 23, 2010 06:52 AM
What a great devotional today, Brooke! It is a wonderful reminder that God wants humility from us, not humiliation! He treasures us and cherishes our faith.
Katie
February 23, 2010 06:57 AM
Thank you Brooke. I was having some issues with this passage. Reading your interpretation helped me understand it and my reaction to it a little more.
brett
February 23, 2010 07:41 AM
Great job! Love the simple picture of the family dog (me) looking for scraps being kindly and underservedly dropped from the table of the master, Great picture. Thanks for making it simple and poignant. Thanks for all you do at WM.
Clint Miller
February 23, 2010 08:05 AM
Excellent devotional this morning. Loved the interpretation. Question 3 really hit home for me. Are my crumbs those of humility, love and grace? Or, are they scraps of selfishness and anger?
Erin
February 23, 2010 08:20 AM
I also had issues with this passage today. Sue your comment helped me understand it better. Thank you.
Brock Hardman
February 23, 2010 08:37 AM
Well said Brooke! I think everyone could use a shot of humbleness on a regular basis. It is far too easy to become proud and feel like we are impressing God with how cool we think we are :)
stace
February 23, 2010 09:00 AM
Great way to start my day. Had a little trouble at first with Jesus being so indifferent to this mother in the beginning. Pondering the discussion questions helped me come to realize that part of the lesson is that this woman worshiped Jesus, despite her circumstance and despite what the rest of the world thought of her. LOVE this daily shot of the Word.
Bill
February 23, 2010 09:02 AM
A lot of people have issues with this passage. No one really wants to believe that a child dies because a Mother or Father does not have enough faith. But wanting a child to live and having faith that he will are two very different things. It is not like these are isolated words from Jesus. (Matt. 9:2, Matt. 8:13, Matt. 17:18-20,John 4:50, etc., etc.) It is possible that it means just what it says. Great job Brooke. You enlightened us without ducking the tough issues.
Veronica
February 23, 2010 10:22 AM
Brooke, you humble me on a daily basis with the way you run after the Lord, study, meditate and memorize His word and in the ways I see you apply it. I consider myself blessed to know you and share life with you. Love you.
Charlie Shelby
February 23, 2010 10:50 AM
Brooke, great devo and illustration today. It reminds me that anything and everything Christ has is worth my pursuit. Thanks for your hard work and dedication at WM.
Cody
February 24, 2010 12:10 AM
I also struggled understanding this one: thanks for all enlightenment, both in the journey and with the responses.
Jay Burns
March 1, 2010 10:23 AM
Brooke little behind on the journey last week and read it today. I just wanted to say what spoke truth to me was that the picture you painted of your dad was so appropriate. You are so right...your dog knew your dad to be benevolent and he knew your dad so well he was confident to stay close and "good things would happen" ...he would be fed!...That is such a great word picture for me..thanks so much