Dogging

Jesus said to the woman, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She answered, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” – Mark 7:27-29 (NRSV) 

Did Jesus really call this Gentile woman, and her daughter with special needs, “dogs”? We want a human Jesus, but not that human. Has he been caught on camera with his divinity down? 

Some interpreters explain that the word is actually “little dogs,” puppies, and who doesn’t love puppies? But, as Bible scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine points out, “‘Little bitch’ is no nicer than ‘bitch.’”  

This dogged woman bests Jesus by throwing his words right back: “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” I think she also whispered, “Checkmate,” but that was not recorded. 

As someone with a long list of pastor fails, it’s nice to know Jesus had at least one. I think Jesus was converted that day to a larger commonwealth of God. Even Jesus had to expand his understanding of who he had come to heal and save.  

What about us? Who do we attempt to keep under the table and not share even a crumb? Who are the people we avoid? Who do we consider beneath us? Who do we dog? 

Prayer
Jesus, if dogging people happened to you it can happen to anyone. When it’s my turn, help me to hear the woman’s voice and respond as you did.

About the Author
Matt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.