I hope you didn’t miss last week’s post, A Sinner’s Tale. It described the Pharisee who was too proud to see his own sin and a sinful woman who poured her tears of repentance out at the feet of Jesus.
Oh, what it must have been like to physically be at the feet of Jesus. I have, many times, brought my sins and sorrows to His feet and can confidently say, I know He has forgiven me and comforted me. But I long for the day, I will be able to look Him in the face with gratitude for all the He has done for me.
There is an amazing story in Matthew 15 when a lady knelt at the feet of Jesus for healing for her daughter.
The story begins in verse 21. A Canaanite woman came after Jesus and His disciples, crying out and begging Him Lord, have mercy on me.
The disciples tried to dismiss her but she knelt before Jesus and begged Him, “Lord, help me!”
Then this very interesting conversation takes place. The discussion over bread and throwing it to the dogs seems very confusing, after all, she is asking for her daughter to be healed.
Matthew 15:24-28 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Looking further and closer into this conversation and these few lines, we can see a glimpse of the heart of Jesus so beautifully.
He is merciful, loving, gracious, good, just, forgiving, a comforter, truthful, compassionate, all-powerful and this is not even the completeness of who He is. Absolutely, amazing, isn’t it?
Jesus stated to this woman He had come for the lost sheep of Israel. This was a Canaanite woman. This was a group of people from Genesis that were cursed to be the lowest of the servants. They were a hated people.
He was making clear to her that he had a purpose and it was to save Israel. What He was doing was seeing where her faith was.
Jesus had healed many and He wanted to know if she was there because of faith or because she wanted a quick fix.
He was saying the bread, was for His children, Israel. He was asking her why He should throw crumbs or a bit of mercy in her direction.
In the face of Jesus, this woman knows where she stands. She knows what she deserves. Humbly, she says even the dogs, referring to herself, would take a crumb of mercy that fell her way from the master.
His response, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
Just like the sinful woman that we saw humble herself in Simon’s house, at the feet of Jesus, we see this woman humble herself before Jesus.
Both instances, Jesus shows us that gender, race, and sin are all on the same playing field with Him. He has bigger concerns and that comes out in His response to the disciples. I am here to save the lost and whoever comes to me, I will save.
Both woman, lost. Both women showed great faith. Both women humbled themselves at great risk to fall at Jesus’ feet seeking His mercy and He granted it both times. Just a beautiful story of who He really is.
Do you have anything today that needs to be surrendered at the feet of Jesus?
We can see from this story (and many others) that Jesus' purpose was the heart of the matter. Saving lost souls. It was not limited to a people but given to all people who choose to humble themselves before Him.
Sometimes we are afraid to surrender ourselves and our situations. We fear rejection or further shame or hurt. We feel we may be denied.
I cannot say what Jesus will choose to heal or how He will choose your path of forgiveness. I can be certain of this. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
What He did for those women, He can do for you! How and when He chooses is up to Him but a quick glance back through these stories and you can see His faithfulness, mercy, love, grace, goodness, just, forgiveness, comfort, truthfulness, compassion, and power.
Do you need a little time at the feet of Jesus today?
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Labels: At the Feet of Jesus, Hebrews 13:8, Humble yourselves, Matthew 15:21-28
Matthew 15:24-28 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
