Mozaic Ministries
Oh Crumbs
My Grandma used to bake her own bread. When my sister and I visited her and my Grandad in South Wales, we would make bread rolls with her. I always put a thumb print dent in the top of mine.
Bread is a staple food around the world. It is used in some cultures instead of crockery or cutlery. Soaking up the gravy on your plate with a piece of bread and then enjoying the sensory experience of eating that juicy, soggy slice.
In Matthew 15:21-28 we read about a Canaanite woman and her conversation with Jesus. When she addresses Jesus, she acknowledges him as the Son of David. Jesus refuses to honour her request for healing for her daughter. They talk about the rights and wrongs of tossing the children’s bread to the dogs. Huh??
The imagery of 'crumbs' here is misleading. The Canaanite woman was referring to much more substantial pieces of bread. It was customary for bread to be used to wipe the hands after a meal. Especially the hands of children. An edible napkin if you will. This soiled bread was then tossed to the household dogs, for them to eat. The Canaanite woman challenged Jesus by suggesting that surely he must have enough over from the abundance of his ministry to the Jews to heal a little girl.
Like Jairus, she didn't bring her daughter to Jesus in person. She came as an advocate for her daughter. She demonstrated that she believed Jesus was powerful enough to heal her daughter remotely. That is the level of faith that Jesus commended her for.