Dave Dishman

For years our little Jack Russel terrier—Lucky—kept our kitchen floor spotless. She cleared every morsel that fell within seconds. After she passed on, I started stepping on crumbs with my bare feet and realized I might actually have to sweep the floor. I missed our canine vacuum cleaner.

Jesus spoke with a Canaanite woman about crumbs. The woman desperately begged Jesus to help her daughter. Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon. Jesus answered that he was sent first to the lost of Israel, not yet to the Gentiles. She refused to leave. He pointed out, It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. She responded immediately, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. To which Jesus replied, O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed instantly.

Such an odd interaction between Jesus and this woman. Did Jesus refer to the woman and her daughter as dogs? The woman took no offense. Rather, she approached Jesus knowing he was the only person in the world who could meet her need. Who cares what comments came her way—her daughter lay in distress. She recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the chosen one, God in the flesh. Jesus identified this faith within her, and healed her little girl.

A morsel from the Master’s table enlivened this woman, healed her daughter, and influenced everyone around them. A word from Jesus and all was well. No sweat for the Lord of the universe.

Perhaps all the good things in life—the relationships we enjoy, children laughing, sunsets, great meals, and cool breezes on a hot summer day are merely crumbs from God’s table? A banquet awaits. I cannot imagine the sumptuousness of the feast, but if the crumbs are any indication, it will be magnificent.

Matthew 15:21-28

Photo by Erica

How would you answer the trivia question, who walked on water in the Bible? Easy, that would be Jesus. But who else walked on water? That would be Peter. Taking a few, tentative steps across the waves put him into an exalted class—water-walkers of the world.

Peter didn’t go very far. After a few steps the waves soaked his clothes, the wind whipped around him, and he lost his focus. He foundered. Jesus reached out and saved him, asking this simple question: O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Peter exhibited magnificent faith by getting out of the boat. He actually walked on water in the midst of a storm all the way to Jesus. Only after his awareness shifted to his circumstances did he start to sink.

A burst of faith followed by a collapse. Such was Peter’s experience. Later he claimed he would go to his death for Jesus, then denied him three times. Up one minute, down the next, up and down, like riding a teeter-totter. Peter’s faith rose and fell as he followed Jesus.

My faith experience is much the same. Faith/doubt, faith/doubt. Depending on the circumstances I might be on the high side or the low. But that’s the life. The trick is not to always stay on the top, or to keep from bouncing off the ground, but to hold on. Questions and adversity balance with peace and understanding. Highs and lows are normal. Just keep riding.

Matthew 14:22-33

Photo by Jorge Morales

I enjoy baseball and I follow my local club, the Colorado Rockies. One challenge of being a Rockies fan involves losing. The Rockies are a perennial last-place team. But I enjoy rooting for the home team, regardless of their less than stellar record. If choosing a team to win the World Series, no one would opt for the Rockies. Why pick a loser when the Dodgers are available?

Amaziah picked a loser. After a magnificent victory over the Edomites, aided by the Lord, Amaziah rescued their idols and images. The Scriptures say that he set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. Incensed, the Lord sent a prophet to Amaziah with these words: Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?

Amaziah slapped God in the face. How ludicrous to turn away from his deliverer to embrace carved stones and polished metal. Amaziah left for battle with an encouraging message from the Lord ringing in his ears. Then after his victory he falls on his knees before the demon gods of the losers. Seriously? Amaziah played the fool.

A king cannot flip God the bird in such a public fashion and expect no repercussions. The nation to their north invaded Judah, sacked Jerusalem and utterly embarrassed Amaziah. Shortly thereafter his own people put him to death.

There are lessons for me in the story of Amaziah. When challenges have been overcome and life is good, when it’s obvious the Lord’s blessings surround me, it’s tempting lean on my pride. Look what I’ve done! Instead of enjoying the Lord I turn to the shiny baubles of the world. But that’s foolish. The gods of this world are losers. So much better to follow the Lord, for in him is light and truth and life.

Keep the faith.

2 Chronicles 25

Photo by Alex Dukhanov

Hungry, Jesus and his disciples started pulling heads of grain off wheat stalks. Local Pharisees protested because it was the Sabbath, and Sabbath rules prohibited the plucking of plants.

Jesus answered their objections from the Scriptures, then added an extra provocation: The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath. Without hesitation Jesus walked into the Pharisee’s local synagogue, where they taught and held sway, and healed a man with a deformed hand. Healing was also prohibited on the Sabbath, but Jesus reminded everyone in attendance that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.

How did the now shamed and embarrassed leaders respond? They went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

Why such anger? Because when Jesus performed miracles and proclaimed the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath, Jesus was also saying and I am Lord of you. These religious leaders did not miss the meaning behind the words. A man stood in front of them claiming to be God in the flesh. Claiming to be their Lord. They were having none of it.

Just like back in the day, Jesus stands in front of you and me and declares I am Lord of you. Every one of us decides if we will acknowledge his lordship or conspire against him, even if that conspiracy simply involves ignoring his entreaties. Jesus is Lord whether you and I and the entire world admits it or not. Refuse him and remain a person twisted toward pride and selfishness, or bend the knee and gain entry to new life.

Matthew 12:1-14

Photo by apricity