Pearls and Pigs

Matthew 7:6 contains the words, “Don't give what is holy to the dogs and don't cast your pearls before the swine.” Lots of people have wondered what Jesus meant.  Here's what I think.

This verse comes immediately after Jesus says that we should not judge others and that we should work on the log in our own eye before we take the speck out of someone else's eye. I believe that he adds the next part to help us set some boundaries for the verse on judging.  See, we are to be loving people even to those who are not so kind to us.  It’s possible that someone comes along and tells us that we shouldn't judge them no matter how they act with their words or deeds. So Jesus is telling us that we don't have to put his teaching out there in front of just anybody because these "anybodies" might just use our own loving ways to turn against us.  

Let's take another example.  Jesus tells us to forgive everyone.  So someone in our life continues to hurt us because they know that we will continue to forgive them.  Well, surprise, surprise.  We are going to put our pearls back into our pocket and give them what for (in a manner of speaking).

Recall in John 18, when Jesus was arrested and officers hit him, he asked them forcefully to state what he had said that was wrong or give a good reason why they slapped him.  You can only push loving people so far before they call you to account for yourself.  Even Dietrich Bonhoeffer finally set the limit for Hitler.

Christians are to be generous from their hearts but they are not fools to be taken advantage of by the wiles of Satan or the world.  And one day folks are going to have to answer for the way they have persecuted God's children.

And Christians, don't get snooty, because we are going to stand before the same Judge.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor George

Come To The Table

Our home group has been studying the love of God; the unconditional affection that God has for us.  Well, one evening we came across a poem.  We don't read a lot of poetry at our home group but this poem was very – how do people say – “Right on.”

It was written a long time ago by George Herbert, an Anglican priest who lived in the early 1600's. His poetry is some of the most beautiful expressions of faith and love. The one we read that particular evening was simply entitled LOVE III.  Here it is for your enjoyment and invitation to Communion this Sunday.  Read it carefully and let it soak into you.

Love (III)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack,
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack'd anything.

A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.

Can you hear the call of love inviting you and me to have the humility and courage to surrender, knowing who it is who invites us?

Come to the table this Sunday, whoever you are.  Come, let your hand be taken and be led to the table of Grace.

Yours in Christ,
George