Oh No You Didn’t!

“Jesus got up and left there and went to the region of Tyre [and Sidon, the coastal area of Phoenicia]. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know about it; but it was impossible for Him to be hidden [from the public]. Instead, after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile (Greek), a Syrophoenician by nationality. And she kept pleading with Him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He was saying to her, “First let the children [of Israel] be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the pet dogs (non-Jews).” But she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even the pet dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And He said to her, “Because of this answer [reflecting your humility and faith], go [knowing that your request is granted]; the demon has left your daughter [permanently].” And returning to her home, she found the child lying on the couch [relaxed and resting], the demon having gone.” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:24-30‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

Years ago a friend of mine who had applied to the police academy told me that during some part of his interview process he went to the men’s room during a break. When he did so, he was unexpectedly accosted by a stranger who became belligerent, maybe even threatening towards him.  My friend said that later he learned that the encounter was staged in advance by the police themselves, as a way of assessing the temperament, responses and self-restraining abilities of police candidates, to see if they would make good police officers.
 
Reading this passage of scripture reminds me of that story. Here we find Jesus responding to a non-Jewish woman's request in a way that effectively tests her motivation and judgement. A woman who undoubtedly from her cultural upbringing was very much aware of how the Jews effectively viewed her people as the enemies, when Israel was settling in the promised land.  Jesus asks her if it is right for her, as what many Jews would have her as “a dog,” (better understood to be a household pet rather than a scavenger), should receive a blessing from Him before God’s chosen people, the Jews. Would she take the bait of reacting to His reference to what most of her people would have considered effrontery? Would she respond as many would with an attitude that says, “Oh no you DIDN’T!!”  (Insert head wag and finger sweep here. 5020202020Recent