Is Jesus a racist or a saviour?

Today’s gospel is the story of the Canaanite or Syro-Phoenician woman in Mark’s gospel that we know so well. There are so many different things we could talk about in this text because there are so many stories behind this story. But today, we’re going to look at it by reflecting on what kind of person the historical Jesus is, the Jesus who was actually lived 2000 years ago.

Today’s text clearly demonstrates Jesus’ Jewish prejudices, and he acts on those thoughts. A Gentile woman kneeling down before him started shouting out for him to take pity on her. At this point, Jesus’ response could be described as cold. This is a look that contrasts with the way Jesus used to show compassion for the Israelites. In Matthew alone, not to mention the other gospels, Jesus had compassion for those suffering from sickness and evil things. He took pity on the crowd gathered before him and healed them (14:14). He was the one who satisfied the hunger of so many people with five loaves and two fishes, but this Canaanite woman – Jesus did not pity her.

This foreign woman came to Jesus and knelt before him because a demon possessed her daughter, but Jesus didn’t answer. She keeps asking so much so that Jesus’ disciples beg him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” But instead of responding to their request, Jesus finally replies to the woman herself pretty harshly: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Is this the Jesus we know? Jesus’ answer suggests that he will not exchange words with a Gentile woman.

But the woman does not give up and begs for help: “Lord help me.” Only then does Jesus speak to the woman, but it’s not a good answer either. He says, “It is not fair to take children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Jesus’ reply sounds shocking to us. You will remember that, in Jesus’ day, Jewish people would not eat with, and often not even talk with, non-Jewish people and sometimes refer to Gentiles as ‘dogs’.

In the eyes of the Jews, the Canaanite woman was a foreigner; she could not be friends with them. She is an idol worshiper and an unclean person. Besides, she is a ‘woman’. By the modern world’s standard, this is a situation where all discrimination related to religion, prejudice, ethnicity, and gender is applied. The disciples and Jesus, who are Jewish men, act like people who haven’t yet escaped all the boundaries set up. Is Jesus a racist or a saviour? Did Jesus come to enforce racial and religious boundaries, or did He come to transcend them?

The woman is nothing like the Jewish men. She comes to Jesus convinced there are no religious barriers to her desire to care for and save a life. But rather than recoiling at the insult, the woman picks up Jesus’ metaphor: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” What a brave and wise answer.  She knows she has no right to sit at Jesus’ table. However, she takes the initiative to confront Jesus across the cultural boundaries. And she is willing to break through the barriers, which highlights her faith. Her desperate faith, which breaks through cultural, ethnic, and prejudiced boundaries, moves Jesus. Thus, the Jewish men obsessed with racial superiority are enlightened by the marginalised Gentile woman and break their own stereotypes. The roles are overturned.

When the Canaanite believes that she and her daughter should receive mercy from God, this is what Jesus calls faith. He replies, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter is healed instantly.

Reflecting on this desperate Gentile woman’s faith, let’s ask ourselves a few questions. Maybe we too are being challenged to examine our own preconceived ideas. Aren’t we avoiding helping someone because they are not ‘one of Us’? Have you not turned away from helping because a blood relation does not relate to you or is not of your economic class, social group, political persuasion, or skin colour? Or they have a different view from us on things that matter, like the carbon footprint, gay rights, feminism, or the Voice – campaigning for the rights of the Aboriginal people in the upcoming referendum? When we fix our thoughts in one-sided ideological value systems, we may be unable to see right from wrong. The Canaanite woman changed even Jesus through the challenge of a new faith, and Jesus’ earthly mission extended to the ends of the world.

The conversation between them changed not only Jesus but also the woman. As mentioned before, she faced many barriers: It could have been difficult for her to speak of her private family problem and sickness while everybody was listening, and Jesus’ reaction to her request was silence – she was probably struggling with Jesus’ silence. In addition, the disciples were annoyed rather than helpful. They said, “Send her away!” Another barrier is Jesus’ response of cold reception and scorn.

In spite of so many barriers, she doesn’t step back but instead confronts them. She has the faith for a Yes. “Even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their master’s table.” We see her strong assurance. The real point of the story is that Jesus’ leftover grace is enough to heal her daughter. This is enormous faith. This is a confession that even God’s leftover food is enough to solve all the hungers in my life.

And Jesus says: “Great is your faith!”