Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/260

 "He helped those who were undeserving; He would not send away those who came to tempt and hurt Him, but for one who ran after Him and humbly implored His aid He had not a word."

The disciples, annoyed at the disturbance she was making, came to Him, saying:

"Send her away, for she crieth after us."

But she would not be sent away, and, paying no heed to them, she besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

And He, answering, said: "I was not sent but to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel."

What a disappointment! And she had been told He was so kind to those in trouble. Anyone but a mother would have lost heart and gone away disconsolate; but she did not give in, she was not discouraged. She came and fell down at His feet and adored Him, saying:

"Lord, help me!"

And He said: "It is not good to take the bread of the children and to cast it to the dogs."

To this poor woman these words sounded harsher than they do to us, for the dogs of the East are not the companions and pets we make them, but starving, wretched creatures for which nobody cares. It is not fit, our Lord meant, that the favours granted to the children of God, that is, to the Jews, should be given to pagans like her.

Will she go away now, hurt or brokenhearted?

No, she is too humble to be hurt, too resolute to be brokenhearted. She will turn His words against Him and make them plead her cause.

"Yes, Lord," she says eagerly, "for the whelps also eat under the table of the crumbs of the children. What Thou sayest is true. It is not fit to take the children's