We were talking about this in Bible study awhile back. The leader told us Jesus was talking about people. Nonspiritual people ridicule things of the Spirit.
For people who are stumbling toward ruin, the message of the cross is nothing but a tall tale for fools by a fool. But for those of us who are already experiencing the reality of being rescued and made right, it is nothing short of God’s power. I Corinthians 1:18, The VOICE translation
Yes, she is right. The verse in the Sermon on the Mount is not talking about putting a jeweled collar on Wilbur. Or spreading out your Bible in front of your cute little doggie, though that is even sillier than the jeweled collar thing.
To get the full impact of this verse, you have to understand the pigs and dogs of ancient Israel.
Actually, pretty much like dogs and pigs there today.
The dogs were of the variety known as pariah dogs.
Not used as pets, and seldom as working dogs, they were street dogs, like the "meaner than a junkyard dog" of Jim Croce's song.
As for the pigs, i wasn't able to find a representation of a pig in Israel of that time, but, being forbidden in the diet, most Jews didn't keep them. The pigs would live like feral pigs in the US and other places, a dangerous beast.
So, not your cute pet. Unwelcome beasts who could kill you easily, never mind not appreciating things of value.
i think the original reaction might have been horror to consider giving them valuables, not just "Okay, don't give Fluffy the good stuff."
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