I wouldn't start from here

I wouldn’t start from here

Scripture Lessons

Genesis 32:22-32

Psalm 121:1-8

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

Matthew 15:21-28

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

One of our favorite movies is “Funny Farm,” a 1988 comedy featuring Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith. Chevy Chase plays a sportswriter who moves to the country (Redbud, Vermont) to write a novel. It’s a “fish out of water” story. Anyhow, in one scene, the movers have all their belongings in the truck and are trying to find the house. They stop on a country road where an old man is sitting on a rocking chair polishing eggs and ask for directions. He replied, “Well if I was going to Dog Creek Road, I sure as [heck] wouldn’t start from here.” The mover exhibited tremendous patience at this point, “But supposing you had to?”

You may ask yourself, why does Pastor regale me with this story from the movie “Funny Farm?” Well, I was reminded of this scene when I read the gospel lesson from Matthew. “A Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.’” The Canaanites were idolators, unlawful inhabitants of the promised land. They were people who had drawn the Israelites into idolatry. They were so looked-down-upon that they were called “dogs.” They were unclean, Gentile, sinners of the lowest order. You might say, “If I was trying to get mercy, I sure as heck wouldn’t start from here.”

In fact, Jesus, “did not answer her a word.” He ignored her until the disciples begged him, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” Now at that point Jesus addressed her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” And as she continued to ask for help He insulted her, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” This may be hard for you to grasp, how Jesus could answer in such an insulting way as to refer to her as a dog and to say that it’s not right to share with her the mercy that He had come to bring to the lost sheep of Israel. And yet, this is the account, so how do we make sense of it? Jesus was making a point. A point that initially was insulting to the Canaanite woman but now brings comfort to the ends of the earth. She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller paraphrased her response, “I’ll be a dog as long as I can be your dog, Jesus.” The woman’s, “daughter was healed instantly.”

The point that Jesus is driving to in this account is that His mercy is extended to all people, even to a Canaanite woman whose daughter is oppressed by a demon, even those people who start in the wrong place.

There’s not much said about the woman’s daughter, except that she was, “severely oppressed by a demon.” We don’t know specifically how she came to be oppressed, but as I mentioned earlier, the Canaanites were idolators and thereby opened many doors to demonic oppression. The epistle lesson from 1 Thessalonians ties in nicely to this gospel lesson. Paul urges the Church, “that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more…abstain from sexual immorality…control his own body…no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter…For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” Contrary to what the pagan world is telling you about sexual freedom, Scripture tells you to live chaste lives. This means stay clear of licentiousness, stay away from pornography, both graphic and written. Be careful what images and content you consume. These are avenues that lead to demonic oppression. Don’t open that door. Keep it closed. Be on guard as Peter says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

Perhaps it’s too late…you think. Maybe you’re starting from the wrong place. If you’re trying to get to Jesus and you think you don’t know the right place to start, hear these words: “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Even with the most reprobate sinner, every breath he takes is a gift from God and is evidence of God’s mercy on him. If you want to come to Jesus and receive His mercy, the right place to start is the place of contrition and faith. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17. So, hear the word of God. Hear the promises of eternal life. Hear and see the mercy shown to the Canaanite woman and her daughter and recognize that you who gather to hear the Word of God are receiving the Word that produces saving faith. You who come forward to receive the sacrament of the altar will receive the very body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. As you plead for God’s mercy, hear His word back to you, “Let it be done for you as you desire.”

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen.