The crumbs

"Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." Matthew 15:23 (NIV)

I was unusually hungry yesterday after a long run and just couldn't wait to soothe the hunger pangs. I desperately dug around and managed to find a rather old and crushed granola bar in my backpack. Well, better than nothing, I thought to myself. As I picked at the crumbs this nutrition bar was now reduced to, I had to smile as I thought about the Caananite woman and the story of the crumbs. She was a desperate woman who cried out to Jesus to have mercy on her and heal her demon- possessed daughter, "The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment." Matthew 15:25-28 (NIV)

To me, this story serves as a reminder to never miss an opportunity to be kind to another - especially those who are different from us, those we may have nothing in common with. The disciples wanted to send her away but she was persistent and Jesus listened. She knew that she was not worthy of being in the presence of Jesus. In fact she agreed that she was a "dog", a term Jews commonly used to describe pagan Gentiles. But she also knew that she was in the presence of the one true God and that even the crumbs, coming from Jesus, would heal her daughter. 

Romans 12:9-11 says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Regardless of the title one has been given, by the circumstances of life or our own decisions - homeless, needy, drug addicted, adulterer, sinner, poor or even "dog", may we never miss a chance to love like Jesus and share our blessings (crumbs) with those in need.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the love that we do not deserve. Thank You for your mercy and grace in our lives - for the things we don't deserve and for withholding the punishment we do deserve. I pray that we would always remember the saving grace that we have been shown and that we show that same love and forgiveness to others. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

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Love like Jesus - Rhett Walker Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkiFoJRn2j0