Sunday 17 August 2014

Background

Here is one of many stories that Matthew has adapted from Mark'sGospel, putting his own 'spin' on it. Jesus has tried -as so oftenin his ministry - to get away from the crowds and has ended up inan area dominated by Gentiles - those who stand outside Jewishreligion and culture. But even here he is recognised. Like acontemporary celebrity he can't just melt into his surroundingswithout being noticed.

Taken at face value, this is quite a difficult story. Jesusappears initially indifferent to the pleading woman and even usesthe (in Jewish culture) insulting comparison with dogs. Only aftera sharp exchange with the woman who refuses to take no for ananswer does Jesus finally respond in a way that leads to thehealing of her daughter.

Some recent interpretations of this passage see it as asituation in which even Jesus needs to learn how to overcome thelimitations of his culture's attitude to women and foreigners.That, though, is unlikely to have been the Gospel's intention ingiving us the story. Its main interest is more theological andthere are perhaps two insights to pick up.

The first is about how Jesus sits within God's great purpose ofsalvation. The consistent picture from both the Old and NewTestaments is that the people of Israel, for all their inconstancyand moral failure, are central to God's work in history. But it'snot all about them: they are to be the channels through which Godwill reach out to the nations and offer salvation to the whole ofhumanity. In some ways the ministry of Jesus fits this overallpicture; he has been "sent to the lost sheep of the house ofIsrael" (v. 24). But his ministry is also a sign of God's concernfor the whole world, so in this story, as in several others, we seethe future breaking into the present.

The other theme is about persistence in prayer. The Bible hasmany examples of those who wrestle with God in prayer, taking toGod their sense of pain and frustration as well as their experienceof not being heard. This unnamed woman is a good example. Shestruggles and persists until eventually an answer comes. Because ofthis she is an example of great faith - not because she understandsexactly what Jesus means, but that she is totally focused onhim.

To Ponder

• What has been your experience of struggling with unansweredprayer?

• If you were to have a conversation with Jesus about yourpresent situation, what would you want to say?

• Who are people in your community who tend to get left out whenit comes to sharing and service?