All of humanity is broken down into two groups today in the gospel – God’s chosen people of Israel, and everyone else.
Jesus makes it sound very polarizing – telling the Canaanite woman that “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs…” Does that sound very loving? Not really. But it was a test for the woman. Jesus knew. He knows everything about this woman. He knew why He came and it just wasn’t for the Jewish people.
But He wanted to see how much she wanted healing for her daughter. He wanted to see, even after reminding her about her class in society of the day – how much did she really want it?
She was starving for Him, and was willing to take anything. Anything He could give, if only just a little. But He gave so much more…
She was willing to do anything, even facing embarrassment, ridicule and scrutiny. She persisted in her faith that Jesus could help her daughter. And Jesus saw that faith. He felt it.
Jesus sees us all as one – but He knows that we see each other differently. He sees us as one body, His body. And we see things as us – those who agree with ourselves – and then… everyone else.
Too often, we look at ourselves as Gods chosen ones, in an entitled way, and then there is everyone else.
Don’t believe me? Look around. Black vs. white. White vs. Black. People against the police. The police against the people. People who wear masks… vs. people who don’t wear masks. People who take Covid-19 seriously vs those who don’t. Conservative vs liberal. This list goes on and on.
We are so polarized in this society, and no matter which side of the coin you are on, you fall into the us vs. them paradigm. We are no different today than in the days of our ancestors. They were as polarized in generations past as we are today. We just see it on a global scale.
But Jesus – He came to save us all. To bring us together. To bring us to Him. Perhaps the bring us to Him is the most important part. The world is what it is. There is going to be good, and there is going to be evil. There are going to be times of prosperity, and there are going to be challenging times.
Sure, we can come together as a community, as family, and help each other get to Christ, but really it is about letting Christ lead us, draw us in to Him. And in the end, if we put our trust and faith ultimately in people, we will be disappointed.
It is only through putting our utmost trust and faith into Christ that we will be fulfilled. Communities can do great things, but only if they do those things in the name and purpose of Jesus.
And maybe that is the difference now from generations past, that God is being removed from the equation now. And the polarization is even more extreme. Even more magnified. Even more intense.
And I’m not sure what the answer is because everyone thinks they are right, and that everyone else is wrong.
Jesus came for all of us, to bring us to Him. But too many are not wanting Him. Too many of us are not wanting to believe in Him, not wanting to believe in what He can do because perhaps it is too difficult, or too crazy, or just too much.
We want to point fingers, and scoff, and judge and call names. We think we know better than these out of date teachings and archaic ways.
You have to have the hunger for something better. And the only times I’ve been fulfilled are when that hunger has involved Christ in one way shape or form.
It’s not us vs. everyone else, it is me vs. myself. We have the choice. You have the choice. I have the choice. We all have the choice in how we live our lives, and how much faith we have in God, and how much of our lives we entrust to Him.
Do we give Him everything and entrust everything? Or do we expect it?
