“But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” -Matthew 15:26
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have learned that Christians say a lot of things that they have no idea why they are saying it. As a matter of fact, when I was teaching the discipleship class at church, I would often ask people to explain sayings to me like: “saved by grace”, “sanctified”, or “the righteousness of God” to make sure we were all on the same page.
Recently I preached a message that referred to “the children’s bread” and thought it would be a good idea to explain what it means in case you have heard the phrase but have not understood it. The Bible does say that in all of our getting we are to get understanding.
In the above verse Jesus makes the comment that it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. The background to this verse is that a Gentile woman has come to Him for her daughter’s healing and He makes this statement to her implying that healing belongs to the “children”.
I heard a wonderful story that illustrates this point: Pastor Bill Winston shared that he went to get some ribs. The lady ahead of him got her order, but as she was leaving she decided to check it to make sure that everything was present. When she looked inside she apparently didn’t see her bread, so she walked back to the counter and asked, “Does bread come with this?”
Now here’s the point that Jesus was making: Healing is a part of the benefit package of salvation. There are numerous scriptures where this truth is mentioned besides in Matthew: Psalm 103:1-3 and Isaiah 53:4-5 are my personal favorites. In other words, if you are a child of God, according John 1:12, then “bread” (your healing) comes with your salvation! It’s in there!!
Years passed before I understood that this was not just a phrase people pulled out of a passage and turned into a cliche, but a profound Bible truth! Healing belongs to those who are born of the Spirit of God, it is their right! It is your right, if you are a child of God! So don’t let the devil tell you differently, no matter whose voice he’s using to do so! Just tell him that Jesus decreed that “bread comes with that” and you want your bread!! Just like the lady in this story went and let it be known that she was expecting bread with her meal and so wanted it, we have to understand that God is expecting us to be just as bold about getting our healing!
Just as you wouldn’t settle for part of what you pay for at a restaurant or grocery store, don’t settle for part of what Jesus paid for with His blood! Healing comes with your salvation, it’s the children’s bread! So the next time you read this verse or hear this saying, you can say, “I have a clearer understanding of what Jesus was talking about!” I know I do! Wonderful Jesus!!
Wonderful Jesus! 