Sunday 15th September
Read 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.” (NIVUK)
Jesus has spent five verses warning His followers against being judgmental. But in case we are under the false impression that we are to make no judgments at all, we have a final word. It would have been shocking to those who first heard it, but it would certainly be remembered. Jesus is warning against being completely lacking in discrimination.
Clearly being judgmental is the greater risk (v1-5). But equally, an indiscriminate approach to life is foolish and potentially dangerous (v6). It would be madness to take that which is holy and give it to that which is unclean. Dogs and pigs were traditionally considered unclean animals. No one would given them that which was consecrated or anything valuable. Unable to appreciate it, or even eat it (in the case of pearls!), their frustration will result in rage.
Jesus is warning His followers that it is unwise to present sacred words, the gospel of peace, to those who are violent mockers. They are wasted on them, unappreciated. We are to discriminate between those who are able to hear and those who are simply there for the argument. There is no doubting we are called to make a judgment. Those judgments require wisdom.
