why have our perceptions about Jesus become distorted?
are we really seeing the full character of Jesus presented in the bible?
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
Jesus did not answer a word.
So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus was rebuking His people (Israel) who thought that Christs love was exclusive and for them alone. He was showing them (his disciples) that His love was inclusive. That true faith, the faith that God longs for; was exhibited by this woman, who understood that apart from Christ she was nothing. Jesus was emphasizing that salvation for Jew and Gentile alike would be found in Him alone, not having anything to do with the family you were born into.
We often struggle to understand that God disciplines His children, and that it's for our benefit.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons
Hebrews 12:5-7
That through those trials, we are are being sanctified (refined/molded).
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
In those times He longs for us to draw near - to step into Him. He reminds us that we are nothing apart from Him, that Christ alone makes us whole.
We try to avoid confrontation, because of the risk of losing that relationship, but Jesus sets a different example.
He calls us to obedience, He calls us to the narrow path. His love for us is so great that we must be rebuked and disciplined, in order for sanctification to occur.
But Jesus doesn't use these to condemn us, but to refine us. He doesn't rebuke or discipline out of anger, but out of love.
We need to learn and understand these characteristics of Jesus, if we are to live as His disciples.
We need to learn to rebuke in love, in order that we may reconcile one to another and not separate one from another.
May we practice Matthew 18:15-17 as Jesus always intended.
"If your brother sins against you,go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
* all scripture quoted is from the NIV translation of the bible
