Was Jesus sent by Our Father ONLY to help the people of Israel-God&#39

[MeCajunboy]

what is your take on Matt. 15:24.......24. Then Jesus said to the woman, "I was sent only to help the people of Israel-- God's lost sheep-- NOT THE GENTILES."

Or do you think this is just a very misunderstood verse? Perhaps if we can get some "language translaters in here on this one??"

[JB Horn]

what is your take on Matt. 15:24.......24. Then Jesus said to the woman, "I was sent only to help the people of Israel-- God's lost sheep-- NOT THE GENTILES."

Or do you think this is just a very misunderstood verse? Perhaps if we can get some "language translaters in here on this one??"

Romans 15:8

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs

He was sent only to minister to the Jew but His salvation is for whoever believes on Him. This is the fulfillment of the OT.

IHS

JB

[Everlasting127]

I think what He was trying to say, is that the lost sheep of Isreal were seeking a sign, but that some of the Gentiles, would believe through faith.

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Everlasting

Moon over Key Biscayne

[EricH]

Jesus' initial offer of the kingdom was to the nation of Israel. Through this initial offer, a remnant was saved (3000 on the day of pentecost). it iwas through that remnant that the gentiles were reached and grafted into that remnant. It was always God's goal to reach the gentiles through the remnant of Israel

[Ovedya]

"But He answered and said, I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Although Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel, He was rejected by Israel and so went to the Gentiles (Tyre and Sidon v. 21). I believe that the Lord's remark to the woman was a test of her faith, according to verse 28. The Lord Jesus is the bread of life (John 6). The children is the house of Israel. And the little dogs are the reviled Gentiles. The Lord Jesus came to save both the lost sheep of Israel and the "little Gentile dogs."

[Giaour]

gentile dogs?

What a pleasant analogy to think upon.

Isreal is the children and we are the dogs. How nice.

[Ovedya]

In the eyes of the Jews the Gentiles were unclean, like dogs (Lev. 11:27).

[Giaour]

Well, that is how the Jews thought of the Gentiles but I don't think God felt that way about them.

[nebula]

I believe that the Lord's remark to the woman was a test of her faith, according to verse 28.

I agree with this.

Recall that Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centaurian (Gentile) and drove a legion of demons out of the man from the Ghaderienes (sp?) (another Gentile).

This particular woman was a Canaanite (the people whom the Lord commanded the Israelites to wipe out and drive out of the land of Israel). Although it is unclear whether she worshipped the "god" of her fathers (most likely Baal) or if her people adapted to the Roman religion, it is most likely that she was some form of idol worshiper.

How I understand the exchange is that Jesus wanted her to acknowledge that her ways (the ways of her gods) were inferior, thus aknowledging His sovereignty. He didn't want her to think of Him as a magician, but to lead her into an understanding the He is Messiah - God.

Granted, I can't peak into her mind to understand completely how this exchange would lead her to this understanding; but based on what I understand about the Lord, it is the only conclusion that makes sense to me.

[nebula]

Well, that is how the Jews thought of the Gentiles but I don't think God felt that way about them.

No, but Jesus is the one who did equate her with the dogs, and He did it for a reason. Agreed?