Day 21: May 25Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28 The 15th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel begins with the Pharisees and scribes trying to change Jesus. (What’s wrong with this picture?) The Pharisees and scribes are so attached to the religious site in Jerusalem that is the Temple and the secure, stable and comfortable methods and practices that go with it that they are actually threatened by Jesus. Following what appears to be a heated discussion Jesus moves on. He journeys beyond the boundaries of Israel to the district of Tyre and Sidon. This is a land populated with people who could never have true faith according to the pragmatic Temple leaders who themselves are committed to being good stewards and protectors of the proper way to practice religion. While the Temple types would not venture to be around such “godless” people Jesus does for he encounters a Canaanite woman and engages in yet another conversation whose purpose seems to be to change him. The discussion that ensues reveals that the woman is a “seeker” of Jesus, and of truth, and of blessing. Unlike the Pharisees and scribes she does not appear to be threatened by Jesus. The sincerity of her seeking coupled with her willingness to take the risk of what an encounter with Jesus might produce leads her to be told, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you as you desire.” Matthew then reports that her daughter was healed instantly. This account reminds us that you and I will not change Jesus. Rather, encounters with him have the potential to change us. Jesus is not afraid of engaging in challenging conversations and he will put hypocrites in their place. On the other hand, while conversations with seekers may seem strange and peculiar he will stay in relationship in order to lead them into a living faith. In fact, our Lord will relocate himself outside of traditional religious sites in order to seek the seekers, and by doing so seekers become blessed believers. Thus it is that salvation is experienced in spite of a staid and self-serving religious institution, and the Kingdom is expanded beyond human boundaries and limitations. Prayer: O Lord Jesus, forgive us when we hassle you for not blessing our cherished traditions that no longer convey truth and life. Confront us with our incorrect understandings and meaningless practices. By your Spirit renew in our spirits the desire to seek you so that your body that is the Church might be blessed with healing and with life. We pray in the name of the One who sought the seekers and asks us to join him in that seeking even in unusual places and among seemingly unrespectable people. Amen. J. Jeffrey Butcher |