March 4
Num 2:1-3:51 | PS 47:1-9 | Prov 10:24-25 | Mark 11:27-12:17
In Matthew 7:6 we are commanded not to "cast your pearls before swine". Jesus is telling us to discern our audience. Swine will ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel of Jesus Christ once it is clearly presented to them. This does not mean we should refrain from presenting the gospel message to anyone and everyone, but when we share, if it becomes apparent that the gospel is not welcome, we are to move on. We are to present the gospel, not try to force acceptance when the other person is deaf and blind to the message. I have enjoyed my many years of being a physician. Because I have cared for many of my patients over many years and have dealt with many issues over that time, they have come to listen to me about issues which they may have otherwise not have. So, to this audience I frequently present the gospel message, the importance of biblical faith, what prayer truly means as a dialogue with God, etc. I don't really know how many accept it or not, but they listen and are receptive, at least for that period of time. Sadly, many of the younger residents and medical students that I encountered through the years are different. They carry their guidelines and their protocols, filled with knowledge passed down by “experts” and are often quite deaf to anything which is presented outside of these voices. They have come to view these items along with the governing bodies that present them as authoritative and those that push back as fools or perhaps less harsh, as antiquated. Often when I present various topics such as the recent pandemic, the topic of abortion, and faith they look at me but seem often unable to listen. A question I will often ask them, especially to those who are young and not married, is if they were to write the new guideline on how a husband should treat his wife, should I follow that new guideline or should I continue to treat my wife as I do, being that I am happily married for over forty years. Sadly, most cannot answer and simply look at me, completely unreceptive.
Jesus had performed miracles. He had spoken authoritatively about many issues. He obviously had a command of Scripture yet to the authorities He seemed untrained since He did not follow their pattern of education and religious traditions. So, they confront and question Jesus, as we read in Mark 11:27-28, "Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” Jesus then returns with a question of His own to discern if they are truly asking or if their minds are completely closed as we read in 11:29-30, "But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” The closemindedness or pigheadedness is revealed by their deliberation in 11:31-32, "And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed." There was no honesty or seeking in their deliberation. So, the conclusion is seen in 11:33, "So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Jesus would not cast His pearls before the swine.
We have two questions to consider. The first concerns ourselves. Have we entrenched ourselves with traditions, with religiosity, with the stuff of this world such that we have deafened ourselves to the words of God. He loves us but will never force Himself on us. Jesus is not Someone that simply gets added in, He is the main Person that one must desire to embark in a true relationship. God is always ready and always present but are we. The second item to consider involves our mission field assuming that one is indeed a Christian. We must be forthcoming and bold in our witness of Jesus Christ. We do not have the mind of God and therefore we are not to pick winners and losers based upon appearances, someone's past, one's traditions, nationality or religious affiliation. But if and when it becomes apparent that that individual has closed his or her ears and has essentially stiff armed us, then it is time to move on. We accomplish nothing by attempting to cram the message down one's throat. We are called to be both bold and discerning.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: