Creating a culture shift is like moving a boulder by hand–nearly impossible. Though Jesus’ teachings were subtle, they were poignantly a force of nature changing culture toward the inclusiveness of all peoples to attain salvation.
Re-Read Matthew 15: 21-28
Remember the passage of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15. The one who cried out before God on behalf of her daughter. Not only does it reveal how God guides us in prayer toward his intentionality, it reveals a lesson to the disciples concerning Christs’ coming to save all: Israel and Gentile nations. It’s a progression toward a culture shift, awakening them to his larger purpose.
A shift toward a Christ-centered culture
Christ came to save all. The Israelites, namely the disciples in this passage, did not see Christ as coming for all peoples; only themselves. Selfish right? Remember how irritated they were by the Canaanite woman, imploring that Christ send her away. However, the beauty of this passage is not merely the attentiveness Jesus gave the woman in her cries, but to the disciples in their ignorance. He tends to each group individually, all the while collectively drawing them unto himself and His kingdom.
The disciples also needed to see themselves rightly, not only in relationship to Jesus but also toward others. The nature of being a disciple meant being taught and this scenario would be yet another lesson guiding them toward a wider world-view, or Kingdom-view. Though the Canannite woman seemed like the main character here, there were two stories in play. The disciples, like any good Israelite, knew they were God’s chosen people with special rights and privileges. They were not about to let Gentiles steal away or be a nuisance to their long-awaited savior. He was theirs.
Christ knew if they were to see the whole picture of God’s saving grace described in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” and Revelation 5:9, “[…]because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation,” he would have to teach them step-by-step through real-life encounters among the ‘unchosen’ in ways that would ruffle their feathers and challenge their way of thinking. Isn’t that one way God moves us?
They needed to be made uncomfortable to change the status quo.
By watching Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman, the disciples saw their Saviour extend grace, love, healing, and salvation to someone other than their own. This would not be the only instance in which Jesus would shake their perceptions of Gentile people.
It doesn’t say how the disciples responded to Jesus’s attention to the woman. Perhaps they were speechless, or perhaps they grumbled under their breath. Maybe they asked Jesus about it later. Whatever they thought, said or did there is no doubt something begins to work in their heart. A chipping away of hardened, calloused thinking bringing them closer to God’s mentality; an awakening to the mindfulness of others different than themselves who are also beloved by God.
Perhaps Jesus didn’t answer the woman at first so that we could see the nature of the disciples’ heart via their response. Christ knew he was preparing them for his final commission to go out and make new disciples, so he needed to teach them how to do so by engaging them in experiences that would challenge their thinking by considering the outsider and changing our worldly culture into a Christ-centered culture.
Reflection:
- What experiences or encounters is God putting in your path now that is chipping away at what you once thought and bringing you closer to a Christ-centered cultural perspective?
- How can you relate to the disciples? Do you ever feel stuck in your old way of thinking about the gospel and being challenged to change?
- Is there a situation in your life in which God might be asking you to change your perspective to be more in line with His will?
- Is there someone you need to love despite their differences?
