Matthew 7:1-11
Ok, so I wrote this post once, and lost it... blech! So, in short, take a look at these verses... they are CRAZY. So complicated... I'll briefly overview:
#1: Judgment.
What is judging? Sometimes the Bible say we should judge what is riht and wrong and hold our brothers and sisters accountable in love. Here it says to be careful when judging others because we will be judged just as harshly. So, how do you judge?
#2: Vulnerbaility?
Jesus calls people dogs and pigs... what!? He really messes with us by saying we should NOT give sacred stuff to certain people. How do you interpret this? Can people change from being dogs? Is this about love, or the Gospel, or service, or (as I see it) vulnerability?
#3: Easy answers.
Jesus says just ask, and we'll get it. Sounds SO easy! But there it is! Let this sink in. All we have to do is ask, seek the truth, and knock on Jesus' door, and all of his good blessings will be there for us. Easy in print, but we humans tend to over-complicate even the simplest truths.
I just had one of those "!" moments where stuff pieces together, so I thought I'd share:)
ReplyDeleteLook at Mt 7:1-11 along with Mt 8:5-13 (story of the centurion in Capernaum), Mt 15:1-28 (the Canaanite woman in the Tyre & Sidon region), and Acts 10: 9-16, 28 (Cornelius the centurion seeking out Peter/Peter's sheet vision.
In all of these instances, when the Gentiles asked/sought/knocked they received/found/were answered. These "dogs"(an epithet referring to Gentiles at the time) would have been judged by the Jews as unworthy. However, they proved their worth through their humble faith (centurion & Canaanite woman) and right-living (in the case of Cornelius). They had the law written on their hearts, where it really counts.
Right, but why would Jesus say not to give them anything sacred?
ReplyDeleteShort Answer:
ReplyDeleteHe realizes that some people won't be open to these things --> we get hurt in the process --> close ourselves off --> don't maximize our potential for doing what we're called to do. He doesn't want any obstacles for us when we try to spread the Love.
Expanded Thoughts:
Immediately before this, we get a warning about not judging others too harshly. Maybe this has something to do with judgement as well. The flip side of the coin where Jesus wants us to use our own common sense and judgement when sharing something sacred with other people.
I think all the things you mentioned in your post would fit in here (love, Gospel, service, and vulnerability). Some people are just so closed off/hard-hearted that these things would be wasted on them, and may even be detrimental to you.
If you extend your hand to pet a wild dog, you will get bit. Next time you see a dog, you're going to at least hesitate if not completely avoid extending that hand, right?
When we get hurt, we tend to build up walls. In turn, we miss out on potential opportunities to share sacred things with those who are receptive, will get something out of it, and will help build us up in return. Essentially, we're less capable of doing what God wants us to do- sharing the Love.
At the same time, I think we should always be on the look out for opportunities where a wild dog might show signs of being tamed. We have to be willing to always show compassion to others, regardless of how they treat us. People's hearts can change. Look at King Manasseh, the Prodigal Son, and Paul of Tarsus.
While not biblical, Smeagol/Gollum also comes to mind here. Frodo's kindness brought out the Smeagol personality. If Sam hadn't been such a jerk, maybe he really would've changed.