Nobody with even the slightest inclination towards justice – let alone social justice – can help but recoil at this exchange, especially in an era when privilege is a topic of discussion. Not only does Jesus remind the Canaanite woman of her status outside of the chosen people, but he also uses a seemingly degrading analogy to dogs in order to rub it in. We are offended on her behalf, and cannot understand why she accepts the implicit comparison (although some try to lessen the blow by noting that Jesus uses a diminutive, perhaps endearing form of the word). Explaining away the insult is still difficult even after hearing his parting words: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”
Why does this story offend us so powerfully? What hidden truth could we be missing here? The analogy that Jesus uses contains several characters: the little dogs, the children and the masters (though the latter two may be the same). The humans are parallel to the Nation of Israel, while the dogs are comparable to the Canaanites. We may not have noticed the most important character in the analogy, however: the crumbs of bread. This Canaanite woman seems to have realized the value of those crumbs, and may even have made the connection between them and the Bread of Life who was standing before her.
This picture is rooted deep in Middle Eastern culture. To this day, people treat bread with utmost respect. Stale loaves or morsels that have fallen on the floor are not thrown away but rather are gathered up and placed on a ledge where animals can benefit from them.
Against this backdrop, the analogy becomes clearer. Those sitting in luxury around the table had the privilege of filling themselves with the finest pastries, but they treated the Bread of Life with contempt by carelessly dropping crumbs on the floor. The Canaanite woman realized that one crumb of the Bread of Life was worth more than a life full of earthly honor and privilege, and she was not going to let the comparison to a dog stop her. I submit to you that she is the one to be envied in this story, not the privileged diners at the table.
Jesus never promised that this world would be fair. Indeed, he said that the poor would always be present (Matthew 26:11) and that the natural order of the fallen world is a hierarchy based on the abuse of privilege (Matthew 20:25-26). He in no way justifies such treatment of others, and says that it should not be this way between his followers. Even so, he does not promise an end to privilege in this life.
If we as believers find ourselves in a place of being underprivileged, let us remember our true value in the eyes of God rather than seeking validation from other humans, and may we learn to value the crumbs of the Bread of Life that fall down around us more than life itself. If we are in a position of privilege, let us remember the words of Job who realized that he would have no ability to stand before the Creator God if he was not willing to respect those of a lower status than him and even hear their complaints against him (Job 31:13-15). Taking advantage of the underprivileged is a serious sin that must be confronted within each heart; still, it is better to be on the receiving end than the giving end.
Jesus without privilege and equality is a greater treasure than privilege and equality without Jesus. As we see in the painfully raw yet beautiful story of the faith of the Canaanite woman, if being underprivileged brings us to a place of valuing even crumbs of the Bread of Life then it is actually a privilege in disguise.
