He Gets Us: Who Did Jesus Love? | Plan 4Sample

Jesus loved the one who crossed racial lines.

People like you don’t talk to people like me. This happened a lot with Jesus. He ignored the walls that divide us and talked and walked and visited and loved people across every man-made line.

One conversation was with someone outside his Jewish world on a day when Jesus needed some time away from the crowds. He took his students 40 miles north into a country where people wouldn’t know them. But there was a woman, just one, who recognized Jesus. She was Greek, a Phoenician from Syria. She had heard about this Jewish teacher and the miracles he had done. Sure–he was from another culture with another belief system and she didn’t belong in their Jewish world. But if he could heal her daughter, then she didn’t mind following them around, begging for help. She wouldn’t quit—not when hope was this close.

Finally, Jesus answered her cry for help—but it wasn’t what anyone expected. “It’s not right to take bread out of children’s mouths and throw it to dogs.”

What did Jesus say? It doesn’t even make sense! And it’s rude! But Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. Humbly, and perhaps with a twinkle in her eye she threw Jesus’ words back to him, “You’re right, Master, but even the dogs feed on crumbs from the table.” Even if I’m not entitled to sit at the Jewish table, at least I can ask for a crumb of mercy…That would be enough, she seemed to say. Just a crumb of grace.

And Jesus smiled at her charming challenge. She passed the test and he agreed.“Oh, woman, your faith is beautiful. What you want is what you get!”

That was enough for her. She went home, and found her daughter at peace.

In a land where Jews didn’t go, Jesus crossed a racial and culture barrier, and surprised everyone with grace. He helped a desperate woman from another culture and race who risked trusting a Jewish rabbi and a bunch of confused students who learned Jesus will help whoever... whoever asks.

Whoever seemed to be Jesus’ magic word. He served whoever asked or whoever needed it. Age, sex, race, culture, political stand, religious conviction—all are welcome. The only qualifier is for them to ask.

Jesus was more concerned about bringing everyone in than shutting certain people out. While he may not always be invited to the party, Jesus invited whoever will come to his.

Jesus ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ John 8:12

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16