Dogs and Pigs

Today we’re going to dig deeper into Matthew 7:6. When Jesus talked about dogs and pigs (swine), the people listening in the 1st century would’ve immediately pictured something very different than we do today. According to Jewish law, dogs and pigs were considered unclean animals, pigs being the most unclean of animals, so Jews were not allowed to eat or handle them. If they did, they would not be allowed back into the community until they ritually cleansed themselves.

These animals were also used as insults toward other people. Dogs referred to Gentiles and pigs referred to pagans, people who didn’t follow God’s law. Jewish people looked down on them because they believed they were living outside of God’s law.

With this context we can now look at the verse with better understanding. When Jesus talks about “What is holy” and “your pearls” He’s talking about the good news that Christ had come to share about God fulfilling the law through Christ. This is something that we have been called to share with others, but not everyone is ready to hear about spiritual things like these when we meet them.

So, this verse is a call to practice discernment, using our good eyes (remember Matthew 6:22-23), to recognize those who are ready to hear the good news as opposed to those that continue to reject and attack Jesus’ teaching.

Lastly, have you ever felt convicted by something Pastor Nate, Kyle, your parents, or another leader said? Maybe you heard truth that exposed something in your heart. Did you respond humbly and let God work on you? Or did you get defensive, angry, or start criticizing them in your mind?

If I’m honest, I’ve done both. And when I read this verse again, sometimes I realize I’ve been the one acting like the dogs and pigs Jesus talked about. That’s probably a good moment to stop, check the mirror, and ask God if maybe there’s still a log stuck in our own eye.