Pearls and Pigs

“Do not give to dogs what s 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.” Matthew 7:6

What did Jesus really mean? Could he be saying that some people just aren’t worth reaching out to or trying to help?

Did Jesus’ comments about pearls and pigs have anything at all to do with a low or contemptuous view of the “pigs” – or any of the people that someone may thinks fit the role of “pig”?

How can we know?

Let’s look first at the traditional interpretation of this comment; that there are simply some people who are not worthy of hearing treasured wisdom. They are so lost and so thick headed that we need not waste time offering our “pearls” of wisdom and insight to them; “let them go … don’t waste your time!”

It implies that some have attained or possess an understanding or treasure of great value and that they must guard it so that unqualified or unworthy people don’t have to opportunity to reject or defile it.

What a strange message coming from the one who said, “I have not come for the healthy but for the sick…” A bizarre twist from the compassionate one who was often rebuked for eating and associating with the lowest and most reviled members of society.

Jesus was willing to withstand the scorn and contempt of the ruling religious elite. He was willing to touch the leper and be touched by the prostitute. He spent so much time making himself available to the needy that there were moments in which he could not even take time to eat. How could he condemn certain people as “pigs”! How could one of such compassion recommend to his disciples that they not waste time in ministering spirituality to certain people?

Could he really have had that in mind? Is it in his nature? What does a good read of the passage this parable is drawn from shows us about judgment and condemnation? Were they his prescription?

A quick look back to previous chapters of the Sermon on the Mount reveal that Jesus condemned distain for others. In Matthew 5:21-22 as he elaborates on what it really means to be a person who reflects God’s character in the world.

He says; “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment’. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother ‘Raca’ (an Aramaic language term of contempt) is answerable to the Sanhedrin (court of law). But anyone who says ‘you fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

He was clear about our natural bent to ignore our own faults and magnify those of others; “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ….” Matthew 7:3

But about the pigs and pearls then; what did he mean?

Reader – please jot down your thoughts and reactions! What’s up with the pearls and pigs??