'Why Did Jesus Call Her a Dog?'

By Pastor Ken Burisek, The Ole Country Church, Medford, Wisconsin
Email: kburisek@taylorelectric.org
Matthew 15:21-28 reads like this: Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the childrens bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master s table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
So did Jesus call this poor woman a dog? The answer is actually kind-a yes and no! The first time I read that verse I thought it was very unlike Jesus to be so harsh with someone who came to Him for help. In reality these verses are confirming Christs mission on this earth. Yes....dont get me wrong....Jesus came to save all mankind....but Gods heart is with the Jewish people first. The Jewish folks are still His chosen people according to Gods word and His desire is to reach ...