Disciples Learn to Judge Others (Under Jesus) with the Right Attitude:
Valuing People
Matthew 7:6
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. ~ Jesus
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.
Mark 7:24-30
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
So what to do with the proverb in Matthew 7:6? To give dogs what is sacred is unquestionably a show of poor judgment, as is throwing pearls before pigs.
One view puts Jesus’ proverb in this light: Don’t treat people poorly because they are sacred and valuable to God.
By this line of reasoning, those who misjudge, pre-judge or judge harshly are the “dogs” and “pigs” not to be entrusted with such “sacred pearls” – because they treat them poorly.
“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.
Sermon on the Mount Podcast
Episode 31
Why Does Jesus Talk About Pearls and Pigs?
Is it possible to evaluate the behavior of others in a healthy way? Jesus offers two parables that illustrate the wisdom needed to evaluate someone else's behavior. The first parable invites us to examine ourselves before others, and the second parable reminds us the necessary discernment for this happens only in a community of faith. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss Jesus’ teachings on how and when to speak into the lives of others.
https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/why-does-jesus-talk-about-pearls-and-pigs/
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 103:7-12
- He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel: - The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love. - He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever; - he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities. - For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him; - as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask Him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
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.