06.22.2023 Faith of a Foreigner - Humility

 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

Perhaps the most shocking thing in our lesson for this week, next to Jesus actually comparing the Canaanite woman to a dog, is the fact that the woman does not seem to take offense at it. She takes the comment in stride. We live in a time when people are greatly offended by small things. When offended, people become highly defensive. I expect the woman to defend herself at such a remark. Instead, she sees it as simply another challenge to be overcome. Rather than arguing with Jesus, she uses his comment to change his perspective. She is not asking for a seat at the family table, but is content to be beneath the family. If grace flows down from the family table she will take the overflow and be happy. What a wonderful perspective in our age of easy offense and entitlement. I think they used to call it “humility.”

Lord Jesus, help me to always approach you with a humble heart no matter my circumstances, remembering that every good and perfect gift comes from you. Amen

As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you. ― C.S. Lewis

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. ― Ernest Hemingway