Pearls Before Swine
Speaker: Lorelle Perry
Scripture: Matthew 7:6, 1 Corinthians 5:12

We tend to think that if we have life changing information, it should be shouted from the
rooftops or be trending on Twitter. This is especially the case when have formed a judgement
about an issue or topic. But curiously, Jesus says “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.”(7:6) What does he mean by this? Firstly, Jesus assumes that there are things
that are “sacred” or holy. “Do not give dogs what is sacred” had an original connection to
sacrificial meat or to leaven. Thus, Leviticus 22:10 reads: “No one outside a priest’s family may
eat the sacred offering.” The later rabbis said something quite like this statement by Jesus:
“For they do not redeem Holy Things to feed them to the dogs” (m. Temurah 6:5). Jesus has
obviously adapted a typical expression and applied it to his own sense of the sacred. Secondly,
the animals chosen by Jesus were among the most despised, and historically connected with
the Gentile world. Dogs and pigs have no sense of value, so dogs will rip apart a precious item
and pigs will trample on items of immense worth. So what is Jesus teaching us in this passage?
Firstly, in connection the previous section on judgement (7:1-5), we understand Jesus teaching
us to not engage in a plank eye process of moral discernment with those who are not ready to
hear. We should refrain from forcing sacred Kingdom treasure onto the wider culture. (1 Cor
5:12) Secondly, we need practice discernment about whether people are ready to hear to the
Gospel. We should not assume that everyone is listening with ears to hear. Finally, we need to
hold sacred things with care. In the same way that we value a fine wine, or fine china, we need
to hold a reverence about the things of God. We seek to hold the Kingdom message with
honour so that our witness brings glory to Jesus. Ultimately, we need to remember that how
the Kingdom comes is what the Kingdom is.

Desired Outcome: To challenge our people to value the sacred treasure of the Gospel, by
being discerning about the how, when, where, and to whom we share this Good News — so
that our witness is effective and honouring to Jesus.