Matthew 15:22-28 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to HIM, crying out, "LORD, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 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." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 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 their dogs." "Yes LORD," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then JESUS answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. [New International Translation]
Summary
During Biblical times the Jewish people considered themselves separate from gentiles* of their times. One group of gentile "outsiders" living around the Jewish people during the time of Christ were the Canaanites. To many Jewish people, the Canaanites were no better than "dogs." So, one day when a Canaanite woman came to JESUS crying for mercy on behalf of sick child, even some of JESUS' own Jewish disciples were annoyed and urged JESUS to send her away. From their prospective, she was just a gentile, unclean and woman. But, the woman was desperate. She was a mother, and her daughter needed help. Moreover, the woman knew JESUS could help her daughter. She believed in JESUS. She acknowledged HIS authority---she called HIM "LORD." So, she literally begged JESUS for help.
Initially, JESUS said nothing. When the woman persisted, JESUS pointed out that HIS [immediate] mission was to save the "lost sheep of Israel," meaning the Jews. But the woman would not be dissuaded; she came and knelt before HIM, in humble submission. She worshipped HIM.
Testing her "faith," JESUS spoke to the woman and said: "Is it not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
Still, the woman did not give up. She replied: "Yes LORD," basically acknowledging the common attitude of the Jews. And, in essence, admitting saying "YES, I know that Jews consider us Canaanites to be "dogs." But with fierce determination, the woman quickly retorts: "But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." In other words, "even the dogs" deserved to be blessed by the MASTER too!
Seeing how great the woman's faith was, even with the testing of her faith, JESUS grants the woman's request. JESUS heals her daughter immediately! All because of the faith of a determined woman!
*A gentile is anyone who is not of the Jewish race or religion.
DOGS TODAY
Although in Biblical times, children were treated differently than dogs, perhaps the same cannot be said to be true today. Just as diabetes is on the rise in children, diabetes is also on the rise in dogs. Even the dogs are suffering. According to "More cats, dogs have diabetes," an article by Lindy Washburn (from The Record (Hackensack, N. J) quoted in the newspaper, Pet Connection:
Nationally, diabetes rates increased by nearly a third among dogs in the last four years and by 16 percent among cats. It is much more common among cats. By comparison human diagnoses of diabetes rose 10 percent over the same period.
Obesity and diabetes are linked. An increased incidence of diabetes is correlated with the increased incidence of obesity. The obesity rates in dogs and cats is increasing for the same reason it is increasing in humans, namely overeating and lack of exercise. See, "More cats, dogs have diabetes," Pet Connection, p.21.
Like humans, the diagnosis of diabetes in cats and dogs is time consuming, requires regular monitoring, medical appointments to check blood glucose and a change in diet. Like human, dogs and cats take insulin—sometime twice a day—just like humans.
CHILDREN TODAY
Today, obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States---triple the rate from one generation ago. With regard to diabetes, the Center For Disease Control has made the following findings:
- Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
- The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.
- In 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.
- Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
- The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions [churches], government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.
Emphasis added.
WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING
Although not everyone is a parent and although many who are parents may no longer have "young children" or "adolescents" at home, the health of all of the world's children, adolescents and young people is all of our responsibility. The physical health of our elderly, our relatives, our neighbors, our communities, our cities, and our world is, in part, our responsibility too. Just as global warming affects all of us, so does global health and disease.
When even our dogs and even our children are affected by diseases like diabetes because of "overfeeding and lack of exercise," all of us have to take notice and take action. Action may include education, changing church eating habits, changing family meals or just being a good role model for healthy eating and exercise. We can all do something---even, you; even, me.
Setting aside a day to eat raw, to eat right, to pray and to encourage greater physical and spiritual health is something. If the prayers of a small, dedicated group changes just one person's life, it is more than something, it is a GREAT thing!
So, today, eat healthily, exercise and pray for the physical and spiritual health of the world--- especially the children.
Like the Canaanite woman, be determined! Have faith! And, BE BLESSED!
