I love Jesus’ comeback to the Pharisees in Matthew 15. The Pharisees say, “Why do you break with tradition?” Jesus answers, “Why do you break the commandments?”

I’m paraphrasing a bit there, but it’s very much like Jesus to answer a question with a question. You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to defend yourself.

He points out their hypocrisy.

These people worship God. It’s in vain. God doesn’t want their kind of worship. There are people going to church, singing songs, giving tithes, volunteering at church, etc., and it’s for naught. God doesn’t care about any of it. It might make Him angry. It might just make Him sick to His stomach. He vomits out the lukewarm.

The disciples’ comeback is a request for explanation. Jesus questions their lack of understanding, but He explains. Ask questions. Seek what you want understanding for, but never demand an explanation or treat God like He owes you an explanation.

The Canaanite woman has a winning comeback, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs.”

She wasn’t going to give up. She was humble. She knew He was her only hope. She was holding on and didn’t flinch at identifying with a dog eating up crumbs. We’re all worms at best.

Jesus grants her what she “desires.”

It’s not about demanding from God what you desire. Don’t take a wrong lesson from this. Jacob didn’t wrestle God for a blessing. He got nothing but a limp. The Angel just repeats what had already been told Jacob.

We don’t demand from God. He can handle our desperation. He doesn’t knock us for it, especially when our hearts are good behind the desperation, like desperately wanting to be free from sin and selfishness.

Ask of God. Hold onto faith. Hold onto hope. He is good and loving and faithful and true. But treat God with respect!

Respond like those healed: “And they glorified the God of Israel.”