Initially in Matthew 15 Jesus takes the opportunity to refute the Pharisees' legalism and external religiosity showing that uncleanliness comes from the heart and not just from what is physically consumed. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 "The people honour me with their lips, but their heart are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men". Next comes a fascinating incident with a non-Jewish Canaanite woman asking for liberation from demon possession for her daughter. Jesus initially refuses to act as his priority was "the lost sheep of Israel". The woman insists but Jesus resists saying "it's not right to give the children's bread to the dogs (gentiles)". However the woman reacts saying that even the dogs eat the crumbs from the bread! This great demonstration of persistent faith breaks down Jesus' resistance and he heals the woman's daughter! Jesus then went along the Sea of Galilee healing the blind, lame and dumb. Eventually after 3-days ministry Jesus became concerned about the people's hunger (4,000 men plus women and children) and multiplied 7 loaves and a few small fish so as to feed the thousands and leave 7 basketfuls of food at the end!
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