The next encounter of Jesus we are studying is with the Canaanite woman. Jesus is in the region of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile area of the country. It’s significant to note at the very beginning that this is the only time in his entire life that he left Jewish territory for a Gentile land. Now that in itself doesn’t surprise us, but it does underscore an important theme in Matthew’s Gospel.

The fourth lesson we learn is that although we are inadequate and Jesus is adequate, nevertheless, we are to be a bridge between himself and other people. And you see that’s the point with which we began. Jesus chooses to use us as his coworkers. I marvel at the way he does that in the story: He calls the disciples to him, takes what they have, multiplies it, gives it back, and they distribute it. And then at the end they’re gathering it up, no doubt in order to have it later to give out to other people. You see, although they have nothing in themselves, nevertheless they are the bridge between the Master and the masses.