Matthew 15: 21-28
Who was the first missionary? Now before you answer, I should tell you that I am asking a trick question. This should not be so surprising when we consider that the first real missionary, and the one who had to start from absolute scratch, was none other than --- Yahweh. When God spoke to Abram and Sarai --- later Abraham and Sarah --- it was not just to convey that they would receive an inheritance of land and children. But more importantly God had to introduce a whole new concept to humanity --- monotheism.
God's task was not to teach those ancient people knowledge of yet another deity --- a task that would have been a great challenge in itself --- but to introduce a whole new concept to humanity ---- monotheism. The whole idea of only one God was considered ridiculous --- indeed atheistic --- by ancient peoples who perceived their world as one filled with evil and benevolent spirits. Furthermore, once it was taught, God had to constantly remind the people that there was only one God and God was the name. As difficulties arose, as people moved and encountered other people and cultures, Abraham and Sarah and those who followed would constantly struggle against what are termed "false idols" and other gods. Remember these words; "you shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)
As you read the Old Testament you can see how this concept of one God was slowly nurtured in the people's hearts. That's why the words, history and stories of people's faith found in the Old Testament seems so foreign to us in the 21st century because God accepted the early Israelites at the level of understanding they were able to muster, starting within a people's framework of understanding. For example, do you remember the famous story of Jonah? What we seem to forget as we struggle with the image of man being swallowed by a whale is that Jonah tried avoid following God's command. Jonah tried by running away from God's territory because Jonah thought he could escape by going into the territory of some other god. Jonah assumed that the God he followed was only for his land, so when you traveled to another land there would be a different deity. We sometimes forget that that the early Israelites had a less than ideal understanding of God, but the important issue is that God was willing to accept them as being valid starting points in their understanding of his true nature.
What does this tell us? God as missionary nurtured these early followers in their faithfulness, gradually opening their minds and hearts to larger and more complete portraits of truth. God is willing to accept people at the point where they are, with the understanding that they have, and to transform those concepts.
Why is this important to remember, because in today's gospel I believe at times we may become to myopic --- narrow in our vision --- of what is happening.
Consider the story carefully. Jesus is recorded to be confronted by a Canaanite woman who is chasing after him asking for his help. And at that moment when she is in the greatest need, we find out that Jesus does not respond out of love and compassion but responds in a very seemingly cold-hearted way. What is going on here?
First of all, we have to recognize the fact that this was not just any woman --- this was a Canaanite woman. In the time of Jesus, a Canaanite would not have been considered within the circle of monotheism. She would have been thought of as a person who would be suspected of worshiping other and thus false gods.
The second aspect of this event is that she is a woman. In ancient Israel as is true among many in the world today, the place of women in leadership within religious life was not recognized. Women were not to speak of such things. In the time of Jesus, most particularly, women were still considered the property of their families, or their husbands.
The other part of this event is that this woman is pushy. When a man speaks out, that man is often considered decisive or leader-like. When a woman speaks out, she can be accused of being nagging, pushy, annoying or uppity.
So what about this uppity Canaanite woman who may believe in many gods? She presses Jesus so much that his very disciples say, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." Now, notice the response that our Lord gives. It may seem bizarre for we think, surely, Jesus will be compassionate to her.
In his encounter with the faithful, forceful Canaanite woman, Jesus is able to take the information and insights she provides and apply them to the existing premises and perceptions. Because Jesus is fully human and fully divine, Jesus can change, grow and adapt to the people, environments and challenges he encounters to continue the missionary purpose of God. To accuse Jesus' mission of having a set, static form is tantamount to accusing Jesus of preaching a dead faith.
Jesus is continuing the long standing practice of God as missionary that makes possible the change of status of Gentiles in mission. Jesus does not compromise the special nature of his relationship with Israel. Jesus changes his mind, but he "keeps the change."
Jesus constantly responded to the power of God's presence throughout the course of his ministry. For Jesus, God's purpose remained a consistent, guiding force, but one that was revealed more fully and coherently as his life and ministry progressed. "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" not only as a child but throughout his life but to the cross and through the resurrection for the express purpose of teaching about God. This event in the life of Jesus was another in those many episodes where God uses where people are at, including Jesus, too grow.
The task continues with us. Are we willing to "change our mind but keep the change?" We are about an important task, to continue the missionary work begun by God. First, to teach that there is only one God. There are many who follow other gods, money, alcohol, drugs, the self, power, the list goes on. Second, are we willing to meet people, each other and those around us --- where they are at? Are we willing to change and open our doors ever wider to the new "Gentiles," the outcasts, the outlaws, the outsiders? For example, how many women are there denied opportunities to serve in the fullness of ministry simply by gender? How many women are there in the world around us that because they are women of color or women from marginalized communities are driven out and kept aside and told that they have no place?
His disciples underestimated, Jesus underestimated, and perhaps you and I have underestimated those around us. For this woman in our gospel was not just a Canaanite someone who supposedly believe in false gods, she was not only a woman trying to have her voice heard; she was something else. She was a mother. She was not coming to Jesus Christ asking for something for herself but for the child she loved. Out of faith, that depth of love would not be denied.
In our confession of faith, we believe that there is only one God. It is a God that loves us and cares for us deeply. A God that will not be denied, but a God that is willing to work with any person where ever they are at including Jesus, his own son, for the express purpose so that God's love will never be denied and that it will known by all. Amen.
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