Last night at our Bible study we looked at the interaction of Jesus with two Gentiles (foreigners or non-Jews) recorded in Matt 8:5-13 and Matthew 15:21-28. This raised the topic of national identity and how Jesus, sent to the lost sheep of Israel, views those who are not of the same ethnicity as Jews. As such, it is timely at a time when debate about immigration, nationalism and identity is high.
God’s plan of salvation is open to everyone (Gen 12:3, Is 49:6), but superiority often comes when we see ourselves as special and chosen. These passages show us that both these ‘foreigners’ received the answers to prayer they craved, for Jesus saw faith in both the Roman centurion and the Syro-Phoenician woman.
How He spoke to the woman surprises us, though. We know that He spoke piercingly to the Samaritan woman (John 4) and with favour to the centurion, but to the woman, He is at first silent and then far from encouraging. The silence of God can be very daunting when we are desperate as she was, but in actual fact, Jesus (who knows every heart) seems to have been keen to test her faith. The fact that she contradicts Him, reminding Him that even dogs eat their master’s crumbs, prompts Jesus to comment on her faith. Faith ultimately leads to both requests for healing to be answered favourably.
We cannot change our nationality and we should welcome those of different nationalities, but faith supersedes ethnicity. Ultimately, God calls people from every tribe and nation to follow Him, and for those who do, there will be great joy. May we welcome all into God’s family and see faith as the way to please God. (Heb 11:6)
