Yes, Jesus said He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel because of the covenant promises made to Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus was not bigoted but was fulfilling the promises made to Abraham regarding Israel. The covenants concerned Israel alone, so Jesus instructed His disciples to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and He Himself confined His ministry to Israel with only two exceptions: the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.
Matthew 10:5-6 — Jesus explicitly commands the twelve to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, showing His mission's focus.
In Matthew 10:5-6, Jesus commands His disciples: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This clearly restricts their mission to Israel. Similarly, in Matthew 15:22-24, when the Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus, He initially ignores her, and then tells her, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The Bible shows that during His earthly ministry, Jesus' focus was on Israel, fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus was not being bigoted when He limited His ministry to Israel. Rather, He was fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham, which concerned Israel alone. The Gentiles were not part of those covenants at that time. Les explains that the disciples were aware of this command from Matthew 10, and when the Canaanite woman approached, they wanted to send her away because she was a Gentile. Jesus' response about the children's bread illustrates that Israel had the place of privilege, and it was not yet time to give the Gentiles what belonged to Israel. Les contrasts this with the later ministry of Paul, who was sent to the Gentiles after Israel was set aside.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus ignored her because she was a Gentile and had no standing under the covenant promises. She used the title 'Son of David,' which was a Jewish title, and she was presuming upon something that did not belong to her. The disciples also recognized this, as Jesus had told them not to go to Gentiles.
Les explains that the children represent Israel, and the dogs represent Gentiles in that day. The point was that it was not right to take what belonged to Israel and give it to Gentiles, because Israel had the place of privilege. The Canaanite woman understood this and humbly asked for the crumbs.
Les notes that Jesus confined His ministry to Israel with two exceptions: the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman. These were exceptions, not the rule, and both were approached by Gentiles because of their faith.
Jesus Not Bigoted
Les refutes the idea that Jesus was bigoted, asserting He knew exactly what He was doing by focusing on Israel.
Fulfilling Abrahamic Promises
Les explains that Jesus' mission to Israel was to fulfill the promises made to Abraham, and He commanded the twelve not to go to anyone but the lost sheep of Israel.
Canaanite Woman and the Disciples
Les highlights that the disciples wanted to send the Canaanite woman away because Jesus had told them to have nothing to do with Gentiles, showing they were under God's control.
Covenant People
Les explains that God has dealt only with Israel since Abraham, and that's why Jesus was sent only to them.
Why Jesus Told Peter "Feed My Sheep" — John 21 Explained
So these twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, "...go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans, enter you not, but," now this is Jesus speaking, "...but go rather to the," what? "...lost sheep of the house of Israel." And so He has that analogy all through His earthly ministry, that Israel is the sheep of His pasture.
Two Exceptions
Les lists the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman as the only exceptions to Jesus' ministry to Israel, which he ignored initially.
Plain Language of Matthew 10
Les stresses that Jesus' command in Matthew 10 is plain language, showing His focus was exclusively on Israel.
Israel's Privilege
Les explains that the Canaanite woman understood that Israel had the place of privilege, and she was asking only for crumbs.
Matthew 10:5-6: These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
This is the explicit command Jesus gave, showing His focus on Israel.
Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Jesus' response to the Canaanite woman, confirming His mission.
Matthew 15:26: But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Jesus illustrates that Israel holds the covenant privileges.
No, Les Feldick says Jesus was not bigoted; He knew what He was doing. He was fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham, which concerned Israel alone.
Les explains that 'dogs' symbolized Gentiles in that day, and Israel was the privileged 'children.' Jesus was making the point that it was not yet time to give the Gentiles what belonged to Israel.
Yes, Les notes two exceptions: the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman. But these were exceptions, not the pattern.
Watch the Teaching: Why Jesus Told His Disciples: Don't Go to Gentiles