All three of our lessons today deal at some level with the sin of prejudice, ethnic, racial, and religious. What we can take away is that it is part of the human condition since the Fall. Jesus came as one with the Father, to make us part of that family, one family of all nations and races under the headship of one Father. He came that we might call all who believe in Him brother and sister, no matter their race or ethnicity. We are one in Him. Paul dealt with the issue by extending the love of Christ to Gentiles without requiring circumcision and that had the possibility of overthrowing the entire enterprise but he knew the blood of Christ was all that was necessary for not only him but all people to enter the covenant. Jesus with the Canaanite woman challenges the disciples who want him to heal her daughter so she will shut up and not embarrass them. Jesus, however, shames them by provoking her great faith as the condition for the healing. She humbles herself by allowing and embracing the comparison with a dog and in doing so is praised by Jesus Himself. Her reward is greater than simply the healing of her daughter. God sends us among non-believers as salt and light not to judge them, but for the same reason He sent Jesus, because He loves the world and gives His sons and daughters as witness of that love.
Genesis 45.1-15, Romans 11.1-2, 29-32, Matthew 15.10-28
