Who are the Lost Sheep

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 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 masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.


It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord opens our eyes when we read the Scripture. I have read the passage above numerous times over the years. For me, it was always somewhat perplexing. I never quite understood the interaction that was going on between Jesus and the woman. This morning, though, I gained an insight.

In the passage, Jesus says that he “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Here we have a woman that was a Canaanite. Clearly she was not of the house of Israel. She was not one of the lost sheep. She was an outsider. Yet, something inside of her knew that Jesus was a man of power that could deliver her daughter from her torment. She kept calling out and following along behind.

Finally, Jesus answers her with these words: "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." These were the words that had always perplexed me. I suppose, if I had given them enough thought or took the time to really study the passage they would have made more sense. Jesus is basically saying, “I have come for the children of Israel, it wouldn’t be fair for me to expend time and energy on you, a Canaanite woman, that is not a part of Israel.”

Her response though shows Jesus that she has a comprehension of God beyond the normal level-- "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." She knew that as an outsider, she was considered to be like a dog. Yet, she also knew that there was a master—a God—that was supreme. At his table all that believed would receive blessing.

Jesus response, makes it clear that her faith and belief made here prayer come true. "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." Much like the woman with an issue of blood, who knew that if she could but touch the hem of his robe she would be healed, this Canaanite woman, knew that coming to Jesus—her Lord and Master—she would receive answers to her prayer.

As I think about the implications of this passage, I wonder who the children of Israel are today? As a Christian, we would equate the church as being the ones to whom Jesus came. If this is so, who are the Canaanites today in our society? Who are the people that are clearly outside the chosen ones. If we take seriously John 3:16 in which Jesus makes it clear that God so love the world that he gave...then we have to begin to realize that those outside of God’s love are going to be pretty hard to find. Because God’s love is for everyone.

If God’s love is for everyone, then who are we to exclude anyone from the ministry and love of the church? These are the kinds of questions this passage has raised in my mind. What are your thoughts on the matter.