Disciples Learn to Judge (Under Jesus) with a Right Attitude

This proverb of sorts in Matthew 7:7 comes at the end of Jesus’ statements about judging and appears to insinuate that certain people might be categorized as dogs and pigs. And there is an instance of Jesus making such insinuations (See Mark 7:27) But many bible scholars have noted that Jesus calling people dogs and pigs is out of character for the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.

So what gives with the proverb? To give dogs what is sacred is unquestionably a show of poor judgment, as is throwing pearls before pigs. One of the best views I have read puts Jesus’ proverb in this light: Don’t treat people – who are sacred and valuable – poorly. To misjudge, pre-judge or harshly judge is to treat such ‘treasures of God’ poorly. That poor judgment is then compared to throwing that which is sacred to dogs. “God forbid!” as some have been known to say. This theme of seeing people as valuable will carry us through the entire week of IMMERSION.

Prayer for the Week

Father God, thanks for the reminder that people are sacred and valuable to You. Just as You have restored me to holiness through the death and resurrection of Jesus, so all of Your creation is redeemable and deemed valuable in Your eyes. Help me see the world through Your eyes. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Immersed in the Word of God

Micro-Meditation Scripture

Psalm 103:7-12

7. He made known his ways to Moses,
   his deeds to the people of Israel:
8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
   slow to anger, abounding in love.
9. He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10. he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
11. For as high as the heavens
    are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
12. as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
    

Micro-Meditation Action

Read the verses of the Psalm two times.  Focus on what you see differently on the second reading.

Mark any words or phrases that catch your attention.

Meditate: Talk (or write in a journal) with God about the words that catch your attention. Ask Him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response.

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Micro-Meditation Pondering Point

Most of us know what it is like to be treated poorly after making poor choices. But what joy and gratefulness there is when we are treated better than we deserve! This, thanks to Jesus, is the relationship we have with God.