Matthew 7:6 (NIV) 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 then turn and tear you to pieces.
A curious Bible verse for sure. Dogs and pigs and pearls?? What is Jesus teaching us with this verse that fits between a warning about judging others, hypocrisy, and a reminder to pray persistently as we ask, seek, and knock?
It reminds me of Jesus in Mark chapter 6. He sends his disciples out to preach “the Kingdom of Heaven is near”, to heal the sick and drive out demons…. His instructions were, “take nothing for the journey except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in your belt.” His disciples were traveling with a treasure more precious than money or possessions—they had the most precious pearl ever—the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven, the grace of God. Jesus continues, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave as a testimony against them.”
It’s foolish to entrust holy things to unholy people, people who refuse to recognize the value of the gift you’re trying to give.
It happened to Jesus as well. He went to his hometown, Nazareth with his disciples. He taught in their synagogue and some were amazed, but many doubted the wisdom with which he taught. Those who’d known Jesus as a toddler, a young boy, an awkward teenager… it says they took offense at him!
And Jesus remarked, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor……He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
Like pigs and dogs, animals with zero understanding, they lacked faith and missed that the holy one, the gift of God, his precious perfect Son—the pearl—was right there before them.
Faith is what Jesus came looking for, hearts that were open, eyes that could see, and ears that could hear. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those with faith, willing to trust and follow Jesus.
In Matthew 13, Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. The Merchant–unlike the dogs or the pigs–the merchant was looking, searching for, and knew the immense value of the pearl when he found it.
God, we praise you today for the precious gift of the Son, and salvation by grace, through faith.
Donielle Winter EFCC Member