I like it because it forces me to really study and discern the different translations, and to understand and contemplate the historical context, and wrestle with the text knowing that the world back then was a whole lot different from the one we live in now.
I don’t mind the contradictions including the ones Jesus seems to make. Take the end of Matthew’s gospel, where Jesus tells his followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Most scholars agree that this means to share the message of God’s salvation with everyone—regardless of culture, gender, ethnicity, or social divide. But then, as we will see in the passage below, Jesus seems to contradict himself when it comes to who we are to share this good news with. “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you." - Matthew 7:6
Right after teaching his followers how to love, forgive, and seek the kingdom of God, Jesus slips in this perplexing command: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine.”
What does that even mean? And why would Jesus, who taught radical love and inclusion, say something that sounds so harsh and exclusive? Does Jesus hate dogs? I mean, I can see how an obedient Jew might have something against pigs. But dogs? Really? When Cali was a puppy, she loved to chew on anything that belonged to me-- my hat, my belt, even my computer charger. I assume Jesus knows dogs have a reputation for being destructive. So, it makes sense not to give them something precious if you don’t want it destroyed. Same is true about out a pig who will literally eat anything put in front of its mouth. Of course, Jesus is not being literal here. He’s not referring to animals, but humans. Again, context plays a key role in understanding scripture. Knowing what we know about Jesus, I think it is a fair guess to say he’s not advocating for rejecting or excluding people. Instead, I believe he’s teaching us about discernment, or like as Paul describes, seeing with the “eyes of the heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18). I think Jesus is reminding us that we need to be very mindful when sharing the precious truths of the gospel, which is the pearl he’s talking about here. In another parable, he describes the kingdom of heaven as a great pearl, worth everything we have (Matthew 13:45-46). So, when Jesus tells us not to throw pearls before swine, he’s telling us not to share the gospel carelessly. Not everyone is ready to receive it. Think about it like this: you have a friend who is deeply entrenched in some crazy conspiracy theory that pretty much everyone knows is a made-up story created to manipulate or distract the public from the truth. But your friend for some reason can’t let it go. They are so far down the rabbit hole, that you know trying to tell them otherwise is a waste of time and energy. They are simply unable to hear what you’re saying. The Bible is a book that reveals God’s faithfulness and love in real ways that can transform real lives. But if someone’s not ready or open to being transformed, what good does it do to keep pushing? Jesus says, “Brush the dust off your sandals and move on” (Matthew 10:14). Some people just are not there yet. This is neither a reflection or rejection of you. It’s just that sometimes, it's not a person's time. And we have to trust God knows what God is doing. It's all about timing, and mostly God's timing which I don't think I will ever fully understand. However, I know that when I was 13, I took guitar lessons so I could indulge my fantasy of becoming a rock star. All I wanted to do was learn how to play songs by The Clash and Ramones. But my teacher insisted I learn the basics first—chords and scales—which, at the time, I didn’t have the patience for. Frustrated, I quit after only a few lessons. I didn’t pick up the guitar again until I was 30 and I was very hungry to learn everything I could about it. Sharing God‘s truth is kind of like that. We can’t force people to understand the depths of faith if they’re not ready. We have to discern each situation to know when to give what is holy to someone. Jesus model this well. When he met the woman at the well, he listened to her questions, engaged in conversation with her, and even offered her living water (John 4:5-42). But when he stood before Herod, he stayed silent because he knew the king was not open to the truth and could not see its value (Luke 23:9). The ancient poet wrote, “There’s a time for everything under heaven…a time for silence, and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7). John Chrysostom (347-407 CE) the master preacher of the early church, reminds us: “We must not teach in a way that alienates those who would hear, but rather draw them toward the truth with patience and wisdom.” In other words, the best way to share the gospel is to be the gospel meeting people where they are. Like Kathleen used to tell the kids, “You catch more bees with honey than vinegar.” The way we share the gospel—the way we present the pearl—is just as important as the message itself. When I was in seminary, I got in a tense discussion with a group of classmates who loved to go out and do street evangelism. I had asked them what they believed was the best way to teach someone about Jesus who didn’t believe in him? Immediately they all began quoting scripture to me. I had to remind them that a person who does not believe in Jesus, or God, isn’t going to believe the Bible either. The more they struggled to answer my question without defaulting to scripture or church doctrine, the more I pushed back like someone on the street might. Finally, another classmate, frustrated by our obnoxious debate, yelled out, “Look. You don’t tell them who Jesus is—you show them.” Which was exactly my point. The problem was that these guys were so focused on “winning over souls” that they weren’t able to see what Jesus is talking about in this passage. The Bible is not a weapon to beat people into heaven. It’s the living word of God that meets us where we are…right here in Anamesa. The thing is, Jesus doesn’t send us to the furthest corners of the world to win arguments or force our beliefs on people. Jesus sends us out into the world to awaken hearts, not shut them down. This means, we have to meet people in ways that speak louder than words. We have to be the precious pearl Jesus entrusted us to carry. Which is exactly what St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226 CE) meant when he said, “Go and preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” Our mission here at Anamesa is to love God, love others, and serve both. These actions can’t be limited by words… but must be defined by action. People need to see it in us before they will even consider doing it themselves. Jesus sends us out to form deep and authentic relationships. And build loving communities in his name. I can sit here and broadcast to the world about God’s love and hope everyone hears it and gets it. Or I can walk beside someone on their journey and show them what God’s love looks like in the flesh. Because I took the time to discern what Jesus says, I now believe it’s better to show others how to grow their faith - so they can see the preciousness of God’s pearls in real and tangible ways. Now there’s another thing I love about the Bible, that I need you to pay close attention too. This is not just the pastor’s job. Jesus calls every member of his church to be a beacon of light in the darkness. He sends us all out to make God’s love and grace come alive in every city, every home, and every heart that’s open. When we come across hearts that are closed, we must discern when to wait, when to pray, and when to step back, trusting that God is doing something we cannot see. As we get ready to out into the world, I would like to leave you with these encouraging words of Paul from his letter to the church in Colossi: "Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the op[portunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5-6). Brothers and sisters, Jesus has entrusted each of us with a precious pearl and that great responsibility that comes with it. He sends us share it wisely, to speak with grace, and to love with a heart that reflects his. Go and let your life be a testimony, a reflection of the grace you’ve received. And as you go, remember the promise that Jesus gave his disciples: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Carry that promise with you. Step out in faith. And watch how God will bless you and guide you as you carry this precious pearl everywhere you go.
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