Dogs Gotta Eat: Jonathan Henderson
Scripture Reading:
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus' disciples came and asked him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
I wish I could fully explain what it is about this passage that invokes such an emotional response, but every time I think about it deeply, my eyes well up with tears. My best explanation over the two years this passage has clung to me is that I want to want God as boldly the Canaanite woman does. For the Son of God, the man she acknowledged as Lord, to call her a dog to her face and for her to respond with an ancient, “I’m leaving with something!” is a boldness I fear I wouldn’t have.
For Jesus to call me a dog would probably break me. Why? Because it’s the truth. Because sometimes, I still struggle with the fact that I don’t deserve His love or eternal salvation, yet it was given to me. It’s because after being given this gift, I still don’t pray enough. I’m not in the Word everyday. I still try to give myself credit for His victories. Truly like the Canaanite woman, I am a dog.
But thank God the dogs still gotta eat. Even just a crumb would fill me for an eternity. For the master’s table does not drop just any crumbs, but crumbs from the Bread of Life.
Jonathan Henderson (pictured here with wife Chlese) is a treasure to our community. A faithful friend, servant, and jokester, his kindness and dedication to whatever he does has been an encouragement to countless individuals who have come through our doors. His service as a Missionary Intern was a blessing not just to ACF, but to the entire Body of Christ, and he continues to live a life of deep faith. Jon currently works as an Administrative Assistant in the LA Tech Business Department. We are forever grateful for him!