Matthew 5:27-30
Jesus offers forgiveness to all of us who have sinned, but that doesn't mean He regards sin as of no consequence. He allowed Himself to be killed so that we could have peace with God. Now that He is alive again and leading His disciples, He calls us to understand how important it is to live like His followers.
The passage includes instructions to pluck out our eyes if they cause us to sin, or cut off our hands if they lead us away from God. We do NOT think this is a literal instruction. But it must mean something or He wouldn't have said it. Jesus was emphasizing that His followers should be focused on Him and on His Kingdom. If friendships, hobbies, or habits separate us from God's ways, then we need to give them up. We are to have pure motives and desires as we follow Jesus. Anything that pollutes that purity is to be surrendered.
Jesus makes it quite clear that He is not very concerned about the external appearances. He is very concerned about our inner attitudes and motives. Avoiding technical adultery (the act) is admirable, but far more important is not dwelling on the possibilities in our minds. To "look at the menu without ordering," in one class member's phrase, is not acceptable sexual behavior for the devoted Christian.
We re-drew the circle that David used a few weeks ago. Jesus calls us to live in the center of that "Kingdom Circle," as close to God as possible. Trying to find the boundaries of the circle, and living as close to the edge as possible, is not Kingdom living as God plans it. Instead, that's what the "outward God-followers" were doing in Jesus' time and in ours. "So long as I don't actually DO anything, why should anyone care?" is the wrong attitude. Instead, we should understand that "God loves me, Jesus died for me, and I want to live all my life as close to their plan as the Spirit leads."
Class discussion also pointed out that sex is not the central focus of the Kingdom. Jesus acknowledged sexual sins and even expanded their definition. Paul mentions them in his letters to early church members. But they are not at all the center of Christian behavior. Pride, jealousy, and hatred are mentioned far more than sexual sins. But Jesus wants our entire lives centered upon God, and the sexual impulse needs to be under the Spirit's control as well.
When it comes to our behavior in this area, Jesus' words about cutting off hands and plucking out eyes may be similar to an admonition another class member shared, "Be not a baker if your head be made of butter."
Class discussion noted that these passages were originally given in a time when women were practically considered as property. The fact that Jesus places responsibility on men to control their thoughts is a major step in the recognition of women as equal citizens in the Kingdom. It took a long time for this principle to work through the Christ-movement, but Jesus' followers led the fight for women's rights, at least in Britain and the United States.
As we wrapped up our discussion, the following points were noted:
- The business of cutting off hands applies to much more of life than just to the sexual impulse. And maybe giving up music or the computer would be more effective in leading a God-focused life than gouging out an eye.
- A husband and wife can (but shouldn't) look outside the marriage for more than adultery. That is, it is possible to lust after other things than sex.
- Adultery is closely related to coveting. When we focus on things that are not ours, and that are not supposed to be ours, then we live outside God's best for us.
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