Something is Better than Nothing
Life on the Pasture
Something is better than nothing. That’s how I felt as I took some time this afternoon to watch a little bit of the Milwaukee Brewers’ team scrimmage that was streamed online. The stands at Miller Park were empty, the baselines weren’t even chalked, and there was no audio with the streamed video. Yet I could see Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun, Lorenzo Cain, and others in uniform playing baseball. I would rather have that than nothing.
Do you remember the account about the Canaanite woman who came to Jesus because she wanted Him to heal her daughter who was suffering terribly from demon-possession? You can read the account beginning in Matthew 15:21. Matthew tells us that at first Jesus did not answer her a word. In fact, His disciples urged Him to send her away. The woman came close to Jesus and knelt before Him, pleading, “Lord, help me.” Jesus’ response is baffling. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” The woman quickly replied, “Yes it is, Lord. Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” (Matthew 15:26–27) In other words, “Lord, I don’t care if in Your sight I’m more like the family pet. The family pet still receives blessings from Your hand, and anything that comes from Your hand is going to be good.” Something is better than nothing, and when that “thing” comes from the Lord, it will always be a blessing. Jesus commended the woman for her great faith, and her daughter was healed from that very moment.
The woman’s example of persistent faith when others would have given up, as well as remarkable trust in the goodness of our Lord are wonderful examples for us to emulate. They are also challenging, especially when it seems as if God is not listening to our pleas for help. In the woman’s case, even Jesus’ followers seemed to want to drive her away. But Jesus never does. It’s a theme repeated often throughout the Scriptures. Our Lord allows us to go through challenges and sometimes even failures in our faith. (Remember Peter walking on the water to Jesus and then sinking?) But the whole time Jesus continues to be with us, reminding us that at the right time what may to the outsider seem like mere crumbs will come from the table. And because the table belongs to the Lord, whatever comes from it will be what we need.
What a gracious God who not only stretched His hands out on a cross for us to grant us forgiveness and eternal life, but who continues to open His hand in love bless us with what we need when we need it instead of leaving us with the nothing we deserve.
– Pastor Schmidt