All These Things Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, April 10, 2016

“Others” Seems a clear focus in the NT Luke 4—Jesus says that Elijah was sent to a widow in Sidon and of all lepers, only Naaman the Syrian was healed Luke 10—the Good Samaritan John 4—the Woman at the Well in Samaria Matthew 15 & Mark 7—the Syrophoenician Woman

Matthew 15: Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 15: But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

interpretations Racist perspective (but inconsistent with all other stories) More than one kind of dog? (Barclay) Refining pride in the woman herself to get her to a proper focus of faith For the disciples’ benefit? Example of Jesus growing in the text? (Jersak) Disarming the culture (Fitch)

Not Easy to Change Perspectives Erich Fromm on the power of Rationalization Humans as herd animals and humans as heroes Riding the Elephant (Jonathan Haidt)

The Happiness Hypothesis (Jonathan Haidt) Modern theories about rational choice and information processing don’t adequately explain weakness of the will. The older metaphors about controlling animals work beautifully. The image that I came up with for myself, as I marveled at my weakness, was that I was a rider on the back of an elephant. I’m holding the reins in my hands, and by pulling one way or the other I can tell the elephant to turn, to stop, or to go. I can direct things, but only when the elephant doesn’t have desires of his own. When the elephant really wants to do something, I’m no match for him.

Technique for Pretending we are in Control Rationalization as a middle way (not a positive) Eg. of intelligent and cultured Stalinist

Another example: mid-century questions 1)Are all men created equal? (Yes... South: 61%; North: 79%) 2)Are the Negroes equal to the whites? (Yes... South: 4%; North: 21%) Negro Digest, 1945

But what about the rest of the story? The woman does battle with Jesus on behalf of her daughter Jesus is delighted with her answer! He loves that she fought back He loves that she knew He was good He loves that she knew He was powerful enough to make a difference

Mark 7: And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. My lesson Learn how to fight for God’s purposes, and you will be amazed at how significance the flow of His power can be