“He said, “Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.” 

She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?”

Jesus was impressed. “You’re right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone.” Mark 7:27-29 (msg)

To be honest, I’m not sure where I am to go with this story, but I find myself continually drawn back to it. Is it that His children get fed first?  The servants (His children), the last, will become first. Is it that only a scrap of Jesus is more valuable than anything else? If I were that woman, after being compared to a dog, I would’ve left. She didn’t though. She knew Who He was… and is, the Master. She knew His purity of heart and understood something I pray I can not only know but live out, mind, body and soul… He is Pure Goodness. If He is speaking to me, His words will bring Life should I choose to put my pride aside and listen. 

This is what I know. Dogs are incredibly loyal and they are also considered part of the family – but they are in fact fed last. Jesus’ ability to be matter of fact and present without people pleasing is beautiful, extraordinary really. Perhaps it is because I struggle with this that I find it so fascinating. He can’t speak anything but truth, He knows the power of Truth, and He is always, always, always working to bring us into His Glory – despite what we think we know. 

Lord, You know us better than we know ourselves. Unplug our ears and open our eyes so that we may hear and see Truth instead of the lies of this world. Amen.