In The Way

Discussion (18) ¬

1. 
   Bleaho

   August 9, 2011 at 3:19 am | # | Reply

   Matthew 7:6 is a very interesting verse. It is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and it indicates that there were non-Israelites in attendance. I think it is also a hidden nugget, that shows God & Jesus planned to reach out into the entire world & all peoples.
   Swine, of course, were considered unclean by the Israelites. Shellfish were also unclean, and the Israelites were to refrain from touching their carcasses. (Leviticus 11:11). So, the Israelites would not really be interested in pearls. So, who would know about swine, shellfish, and pearls and use that information to understand what Jesus said? Mostly likely the Romans and Greeks.
   Even though some Gentiles are mentioned during Jesus’ ministry, like the Roman Centurion who came asking for a servant to be healed, (Matthew 8:5-13) most of Jesus’ ministry was for the Israelites. It wasn’t until after Jesus’ ascension that the discliples began witnessing to the Gentile world.

   As for the meanings of Matthew 7:6, I think there are several. “Do not give what is holy to the dogs” could refer to the sacrificial meat offered at the temple. Dogs would not be able to appreciate the importance that the meat represented and would devour it without second thought. Anyone who would do such a thing, shows complete dissrespect to both God and the person who offered the sacrifice.

   The pearls,however, are not destroyed by the swine, but are “trampled under their feet”. Who wants a dirty pearl? This shows someone who just wasted their given gifts. I would think that only food would be cast before swine, so the hungry pigs have not only ruined the pearls, but they are still hungry! So now, the pigs turn on the one who cast it and tears them apart! I see this a lesson about not wasting your God given talents and gifts.
   A good example of wasted talents is found often in this world. The music industry is perhaps an easy place to see this. How many beautifully talented singers end up making a mess of their life with drugs, alcohol, and sex scandals? How wonderul it would have been if they would have used their voice to praise & worship God!

   • 
     Jason

     August 9, 2011 at 6:29 am | # | Reply

     Amen. When I was using my talents for the world and not for God, I felt a void. And the more I tried to fill that void with the world, the bigger the void became. When I started using my talents for God, the opposite happened – not only did I feel fulfilled, I felt more content in all aspects of my life. I used to resent my “tent making” jobs because they weren’t using my talents to earn me a living. Now I’ve found a joy in those same jobs because I know that my talents are for God. If He desires I use those talents to make money, I’m ok with that. If I don’t make money with them, I’m ok with that too. Praise God! He delivered me from my bondage.
2. 
   Bearman

   August 9, 2011 at 4:48 am | # | Reply

   I love my pig. At first I thought that was a Kosher reference. haha

   • 
     Jason

     August 9, 2011 at 6:30 am | # | Reply

     After I read your comment, I realized I made the oyster’s house too tidy for an unclean animal.
3. 
   George

   August 10, 2011 at 11:32 am | # | Reply

   This comic made me think a lot and do some personal reflection. Good job and posting, Jason!

   • 
     Jason

     August 10, 2011 at 7:02 pm | # | Reply

     Thanks! I say personal reflection is a good thing.
4. 
   alecho

   August 10, 2011 at 1:31 pm | # | Reply

   Hahahahaha very funny! I like how you literally translated the verse into a comic very funny!

   • 
     Jason

     August 10, 2011 at 7:05 pm | # | Reply

     When you mentioned “literal,” for some reason I thought to myself, “Pigs don’t have fingers.” Interesting.
5. 
   Tony McGurk

   August 10, 2011 at 2:06 pm | # | Reply

   Those oysters did a good job to get on the chairs with no legs. I can’t imagine what the offspring of a oyster & a pig would look like??? The pigs can have the oysters, I don’t like them

   • 
     Jason

     August 10, 2011 at 7:06 pm | # | Reply

     In my opinion, it would be an ugly offspring.
6. 
   Binky

   August 10, 2011 at 6:38 pm | # | Reply

   I think the so-called animals are more deserving than the people, a lot of the time.

   • 
     Jason

     August 10, 2011 at 7:07 pm | # | Reply

     Are you saying wombats are better than humans?

     • 
       Binky

       August 11, 2011 at 8:00 pm | # | Reply

       Well I’d say some wombats are better than some humans some of the time. And the reverse is true, too.

       • 
         Jason

         August 12, 2011 at 6:28 pm | # | Reply

         You are a diplomatic wombat for sure. Kudos!
   • 
     Deb

     August 14, 2011 at 8:42 am | # | Reply

     Oh, no doubt about it!

     • 
       Jason

       August 16, 2011 at 11:37 am | # | Reply

       “I said in my heart, ‘Concerning the condition of the sons of en, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals.’ For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust and all return to dust.” Ecclesiastes 3:18 – 20
7. 
   SpilledInkGuy

   August 15, 2011 at 8:56 pm | # | Reply

   Hmm… I would appreciate it…
   what’s the retail value on that ring again?!
   

   • 
     Jason

     August 16, 2011 at 11:38 am | # | Reply

     I too would not trample on that pearl. It’s probably worth a great value… maybe even equal to a tank of gas.