He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

Matthew 15:26

 For Meditation

 Let’s check your tolerance quotient today. 

You are the Canaanite woman who went to Jesus for healing for her demon-possessed daughter (Matt. 15:21-28). First, you must deal with the crowd to get to Jesus. You finally get close enough to put in your plea. Now you must deal with His disciples. You are getting on their nerves. They tell their Master to tell you off and give them some peace. But you persist in your pleading. Suddenly, Jesus stops and turns to you. Your heart pounds. “This is my opportunity,” you quietly say to yourself.

 He looks you straight in the eyes and tells you. 

“I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”  

You are disappointed, but you keep down. You knell at His feet with a desperate plea. Then the shock of your life comes.

“It is not right for me to take the children’s food and toss it to their dogs,” Jesus says. 

Your stomach squirms. You feel like throwing up. “Did I hear right,” you ask yourself?

Now, let’s be honest here. What will you do? How many insults can you take before you let loose your venom? Your ego is bursting, and the restraining wall of your tongue or fist is giving way. You survived the crowd and the disciples. But, not from Him.

“Yes, Lord…but even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” (27).

What a woman! What extraordinary faith! (28).

What is your tolerance quotient for the word of God? How far will you go with the ‘offense’ of God’s word to get to the heart of Jesus?

As you set out today, you will face many battles, and daunting obstacles will confront you. Some will push your faith to the brink, and others will exasperate you. Will your faith hold up? That will be determined by your tolerance quotient – your will to push on in the face of offenses. 

Will you survive the faith test?