Crumbs

“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”                                                                                                               Matt. 15.27

The Gentile woman had come to Jesus for healing for her daughter. Jesus’ response was that He had been sent to the “lost sheep of Israel”. Therefore it was not right to give the children’s bread to their dogs.

The woman’s reply is seen by Jesus as a sign of great faith, and He answers her request. I’m intrigued by the words and imagery that the woman uses. The masters are those who are rightfully entitled to eat. Yet even their pet dogs, those considered not worthy to receive for themselves, partake of the “crumbs” of food that fall from the table.

The crumbs are the same substance as the main meal, albeit a lesser portion. What the woman, therefore, seems to be saying is: “I may not be entitled to the full meal, but I can surely taste of the good food from the droppings that fall from the table.”

Her faith won through and she was “fed”. Her recognition of the crumbs was, indeed, for the real thing. Whether we receive crumbs or a full loaf, it is the same bread. She was willing to settle for crumbs, knowing the bread from which they came. She was rewarded with the whole loaf.

Lord God,

I marvel at the woman who was willing to settle for mere crumbs from You. She knew the source of the crumbs. I see today that the crumbs or the whole loaf signify the same bread, and the least amount of that bread will satisfy. The woman knew this, and was willing to accept it.

May I, then, be willing to accept whatever measure is given to me. You know my needs far better than I do. I am not greedy, yet I know that the more I receive, the more I would willingly share. You are my supply, my source. I look to You, daily, for what I need for the day.

I thank You for Your supply, which I receive with gratitude.                  Amen.

Traditions!

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat.”                                                                                       Matt. 15.2

The religious authorities challenged Jesus about His disciples’ non-compliance with their traditions. Jesus countered by bringing the focus back to God. Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (v3).

This interaction occurred before the days of the church, yet the church has itself been guilty of the same fault, and repeatedly so, down through the ages, and even during present times.

Why is it that we set ourselves up against God, making rules and “traditions” that may often conflict with His Word and His holy ways.

I sense Jesus’ disappointment in this instance. It is as though He is saying “You have rejected my Father’s ways for your own demands. Your actions, and ways, are not the right ones. See this now and reform. Follow the commands of God and the ways of the Lord. Discard your own traditions where these conflict with the heavenly way, for your actions are contrary to my Father’s will.”

I do not wish to act contrary to God’s will. I know I do, and I repent of these times. I seek His forgiveness and His restoring of me to the right course.

Jesus completes this interaction and challenge with an explanation of the inapplicability of the authorities’ tradition. Their complaint was that His disciples ate without washing their hands. He points out that what enters a person does not contaminate them, as it passes through the stomach and out of the body. But what comes out of a person through the mouth, comes from the heart, and these things (such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, etc.), and not unwashed hands, can make a person “unclean”.

How often, I wonder, do we deny God’s rule by the imposition of our own “traditions” and agenda?

Mighty God and Loving Father,

I thank You for Your laws and commands. I repent of those times when I fail and disappoint You. I ask for Your forgiveness.

I pray that I will not be swayed by human agenda and “traditions” over Your way. Help me to guard my heart for it is the wellspring from which the fruit of my life emanates. May my heart be ever open to receive Your commands and to live them out with the fullness of all that is in me.

I want to go Your way. I commit to this. Yet I know I stumble and fall. Will I ever be free of this? Help me, Lord.

Show me Your ways in every part of my living. Lead me in those ways. Keep me in the truth. May I not be swayed by my own alien thoughts nor by the clever ways of humanity.

You are Lord, God Almighty. I swear my allegiance to You. Receive me anew today, and lead me forth in Your ways, in Jesus’ name I ask.                  Amen.

Breaking bread

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him.

                                                                                                              Luke 24.30, 31a

Breaking of bread is a wonderful sign of Jesus. This act of entering into fellowship is our open invitation to join with Him, to be partners with Him and to become part with Him. He invites us in, that He may come in – I in Him and He in me.

The two disciple-travellers recognised Him in the simple act of breaking bread. He had journeyed with them and spoken at length, detailing all the Scriptures that bore out the truth of what had happened in Jerusalem that week-end. They had heard Him. Did they take account of what He had said? I hope so! But they did not recognise Him until He broke the bread. I ponder on how much more exciting their journey might have been if they had recognised Him in the early stages.

I cannot say that I am in the early stages of journey. Indeed, my journey may be well advanced. But I have recognised my Saviour and my Lord, and I rejoice in those special times when I join with Him in the breaking of bread. We come together and, imperfect as I am, He draws me to Him and begins to feed me afresh with the bread of life. He is my sustenance. I sit at table and commune with Him. We join together in the sweetest fellowship.

Lord Jesus,

I’m here, and I know that You are here with me. I open myself to You. You know me, and still You are willing to sit and eat with me. I thank You that You have freed me to be Yours.

May I sit with You now and receive further from You. My relationship with You is the sustenance of my whole life. As You touch me may I receive. As You lead me may I be willing to go.

Come, Lord, break bread with me. I would eat with You. I love You and so want to share with You. Meet with me, receive me, in Your precious name I ask.               Amen.

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Risen

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen!”                                                                                                                                            Luke 24.5b, 6a

What gloriously stirring words these are! The last that the faithful saw might have been Joseph removing the body to the tomb or, more likely, the dead Christ upon the cross. It would be the most natural act for the women to want to anoint the body. And so, they would have visited the tomb expecting to do this.

There, the most wonderful news awaited them. Their beautiful friend was not dead but alive. And the risen Christ is now truly their Saviour! I delight in the phrase  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” How pertinent this question is, and how relevant to today! Jesus brings new life. And He will be found among those who are willing to live their lives with Him and in Him. His journey from death to life is indicative of what believers experience. In our sin we are apart from God. The ways of the flesh kill the spirit, and keep us from Him. But Christ brings new life. We need to look for Him among those who are vibrant in Him. I pray that I might be one such. I open myself to Him and invite Him to fill me with the measure of new life in Him.

Lord Jesus,

I rejoice that You are alive and most wonderfully so. I seek You out, Lord. I cry out for You to fill me anew and lead me into a life of You in me and me in You.

May each day bring a new measure of You into me. May I also meet with others with whom to share this new life. These may be followers of You or they may yet be ‘dead’ in the Spirit. Let me join with them and introduce You, either initially or in greater measure.

I pray that Your Spirit would work in me to release the powerful love that You have for me and that You have given me. Precious Jesus, receive my love and release me in Your love.                  Amen.