For years our little Jack Russel terrier—Lucky—kept our kitchen floor spotless. She cleared every morsel that fell within seconds. After she passed on, I started stepping on crumbs with my bare feet and realized I might actually have to sweep the floor. I missed our canine vacuum cleaner.

Jesus spoke with a Canaanite woman about crumbs. The woman desperately begged Jesus to help her daughter. Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon. Jesus answered that he was sent first to the lost of Israel, not yet to the Gentiles. She refused to leave. He pointed out, It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. She responded immediately, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. To which Jesus replied, O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed instantly.

Such an odd interaction between Jesus and this woman. Did Jesus refer to the woman and her daughter as dogs? The woman took no offense. Rather, she approached Jesus knowing he was the only person in the world who could meet her need. Who cares what comments came her way—her daughter lay in distress. She recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the chosen one, God in the flesh. Jesus identified this faith within her, and healed her little girl.

A morsel from the Master’s table enlivened this woman, healed her daughter, and influenced everyone around them. A word from Jesus and all was well. No sweat for the Lord of the universe.

Perhaps all the good things in life—the relationships we enjoy, children laughing, sunsets, great meals, and cool breezes on a hot summer day are merely crumbs from God’s table? A banquet awaits. I cannot imagine the sumptuousness of the feast, but if the crumbs are any indication, it will be magnificent.

Matthew 15:21-28

Photo by Erica