Jesus heals a Canaanite woman's daughter. (Matthew 15:21-28) It is one of the most difficult parts of scripture for me in that Jesus refuses the woman's request at first, saying, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." Jesus seems to be repeating the thought that his ministry is intended for Jews only.
But when the woman asks again, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table," Jesus changes his mind, grants the woman's request, and heals her daughter.
This exchange makes even more sense to me when I view it as an event by which Jesus begins to realize that his ministry is not for Jews only, but also for others. Before this exchange he sends his disciples to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 10:6) But there is no record of Jesus sending his disciples to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" after his encounter with the Canaanite woman.
I'm just glad that Jesus extended his ministry to all persons.
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