A lot of times in church circles, we think that the Old Testament is “the difficult stuff” and the New Testament is “the easier way.” The Sermon on the Mount squashes any misconceptions of that!
Time after time, Jesus says, “You have heard it said …” and then he ups the ante! Rather than making this easier, he appears to make it more impossible. In today’s passage, Jesus is tackling adultery and lust. He says that if your eye causes you to lust, cut it out! If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! What started as a good moral code now feels like an impossible standard … but maybe that is the point?
In his book “The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “We cannot evade the issue either way; we are placed in a position where there is no alternative but to obey. Jesus does not impose intolerable restrictions on his disciples, he does not forbid them to look at anything, but bids them look on him. If they do that he knows that their gaze will always be pure, even when they look upon a woman. So far from imposing on them an intolerable yoke of legalism, he succours them with the grace of the gospel.” (Bonhoeffer, “Cost of Discipleship,” p. 111)
This isn’t moralism, legalism, self-righteousness, or religiosity; this is fixing our eyes on the immeasurable beauty and worth of Jesus! This passage is not about how sinful we are; it is about how good Jesus is! This impossible standard is not given to us by God so we will beat ourselves up and wallow in pity and shame. Jesus gives us this command so we will fall wholly into his gracious arms.
Therefore, do NOT gouge out your eye or cut off your hand. In its place, fix your eyes on Jesus and lift your hands in worship and service to him! His grace is sufficient, today and forevermore.
Reflection:
- How does the “impossible standard” of Jesus’ teachings feel to you? What does that teach about grace?
- How do you respond to your own sin and mistakes? How do you think God responds? (Hint: look at Jesus!)