Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

What will you do Jesus?  You’ve been doing mission among your own people.  Hasn’t been going very well.  We’ll grant you that.  Herod imprisoned and murdered the great prophet and your forerunner, John the Baptist.  Your hometown of Nazareth wouldn’t have you.  But you’ve come precisely for the lost sheep of Israel.  To be their Shepherd.  To be their Savior. 

Now what?  Take a look!  This Canaanite, Gentile woman from Pagan Land (Tyre and Sidon) comes screaming after you.  Canaanite!  Did you hear that Jesus?  Canaanite means poison.  Skull and cross bones poison.  Canaanite means everything that is deadly to the faith of Israel.  Israel and Canaan:  that’s like throwing a match into gasoline.  And what’s with all her yelling?  So like a Canaanite.  What a loud mouth!  Best just to stay away from her Jesus.

Need we remind you Jesus?  Your mission is to Israel.  To the lost sheep of Israel.  Israel.  Israel.  Israel.  Israelites.  Not Canaanites!  You never should have tried to get away from it all with this jaunt into the region of Israel’s bitterest enemies.    

When you do that you’re going to run into Canaanites.  And that’s exactly what happens.  Mrs. Non-Israelite Loud Mouth Canaanite relentlessly comes after you.  She’s heard of you Jesus (Mark 7:25).  Word’s gotten out.  People have been talking.  Faith comes by hearing.  And hearing by the Word of Christ. 

She needs your help.  Desperately.  Her daughter is terribly demon possessed.  Could it be?  Is it possible?  That a Canaanite woman believes?

Yes indeed.  Mrs. Gentile Canaanite knows who you are Jesus.  “Lord, Son of David,” she says.  “Lord.”  That’s not just “mister” or “good sir.”  It’s:  “Jesus, you’re God’s divine Son.  And that means, ‘Savior.’  The Savior promised from King David’s family.  You’re King David’s promised Son!  The One greater than Solomon who will reign forever and bring salvation to Israel.”  And she knows why you’re here Jesus.  “Lord, Son of David . . . HAVE MERCY ON ME.” 

Pretty impressive Jesus.  Mrs. Tyre and Sidon believes in you.  She’s betting her life that you’ll have mercy even on her.  A Gentile.  What will you do?  Will you abandon your mission to the lost sheep of Israel?  Or will you be distracted and do some Canaanite mission work?  What will people think?  Especially the house of Israel?   

What’s that Jesus?  Cat has your tongue?  Don’t have anything to say?  We suppose not.  “He does not answer her a word.”   

OK Jesus.  We take it that the silent treatment means that you’re an Israel only kind of Savior.  Surely she’ll get the message.

Nope.  Mrs. Canaanite doesn’t leave.  Even after receiving the silent treatment.  She tries to get to you through your disciples.  Begs them.  They don’t like it.  A  Canaanite!  And a woman to boot!  Jesus’ mission is to Israel.  “Get rid of her will you Jesus!  She keeps on yelling at us!”  No “Lord, Son of David” talk from Israelite disciples.  That’s interesting isn’t it?

Well, what will you do Jesus?  Let’s hear it.  Will you help Mrs. Canaanite or not?  “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 

There you have it Madam!  Nice try.  Close but no cigar.  He’s an Israel man.  An Israel Messiah.  Not for the likes of you honey!  Surely she’ll give up on you now Jesus!

What?  She’s still here?  Now she’s bowing before you Jesus.  Still she begs.  “Lord, help me.  Please help me.”

Now what Jesus?  “It just isn’t right to take the children of Israel’s bread and toss it to little Canaanite lap dogs.  I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

That ought to do it Jesus.  Surely she’ll quit and go home now.  And you can get back to your mission work in Israel.  

What’s this?  She dares to speak again?  “You’re absolutely right Lord!  I am a little dog.  We little lap dogs are allowed in the house aren’t we?  So that means that even a little lap dog like me gets to eat the scraps that fall from the lost sheep of Israel’s table, right?” 

That’s a brilliant move, isn’t it Jesus?  She’s caught you in your own words!  There’s no getting out of your words.  You let her in the house by calling her a lap dog.  She’s more than willing to be a little Chihuahua in Israel’s house and at Israel’s table!  Not just in the house but at the dinner table!  

Now she’s caught you in your own words!  Can’t contradict your own words and promises.  So now what Jesus?     

He explodes!  “Woman, you have great faith!  Let it be done for you exactly as you wanted!  Your daughter is healed.”            

Jesus loves to be caught in His own words.  He did come for the lost sheep of Israel.  Sure, He was on a Israelite mission.  Israel first, but then via Israel on to all nations.  Making disciples of all nations as He says in Matthew 28. 

You’re the fruits of Matthew 28’s mission.  Gentiles for whom Jesus died.  Gentiles who are baptized in the Triune Name.  Made disciples through Baptism and teaching all the Lord Jesus has given. 

After catching Jesus and holding Him to His words, Mrs. Canaanite went home to be with her healed daughter.  Her disciple life was the life of faith toward Jesus and love for her daughter. 

So too with you.  Jesus died for you.  You’re forgiven.   You’re healed from Satan, his terrible demons, and their eternal hell.  You’re baptized into His death for a new life.  You too are little discipled lap dogs who eat the scraps that fall from the Master’s Table, His Body and His Blood.

Good Friday-ed and Easter Sunday-ed by Him you hold Him to His words of promise for you.  Great is your faith because Jesus is so great for you.  He is the Savior of both Jew and Gentile. 

And so Jesus too sends you back home.  On a mission.  To take care of your family.  Children.  Grandchildren.  Spouse.  Grandparents.  Whoever.  Faith in Him.  Love for each other.  Where He has put you, He has good use for you.  Sacrificial service for those in your life. 

And your constant cry is:  “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me a sinner.”  And His answer:  “Great is your faith.  May it be exactly what you want.” 

In the Name of Jesus.