Avoid Lust, Not Just Adultery (Matthew 5:27-32)
If there is an area where humanity struggles more than with hate, it is sex. And people claiming to follow Jesus are no exception. The game of twister that is played with words, rules, and loop-holes in this area borders on the ridiculous. The most infamous recent example would be that hilariously terrible music video “The Three Second Rule.” But this is nothing new. Legalism tries to narrowly define what constitutes sex, so that people can go as far as possible without sinning. But, as in the case with hate and murder, they miss the meaning behind the “law” in all their legalese.
Jesus minces no words here. He is not interested in any wiggle room. One of the highest values in the created order is the love relationship between a man and a woman. Love, not just romance, sex, or even pleasant friendship. All of those things are only ultimately possible in a committed, never questioned, trusting bond. And Jesus here again takes things to the heart level. In a marriage, the commitment should be so high that wandering thoughts are never entertained.
In this passage, the legalists are thrown for a loop. They are so caught up in the “rule of law” that they take Jesus’ hyperbole for new standards. When Jesus talks about plucking eyes out and chopping off hands, He is not suggesting people should do this. Remember, this sermon is addressed to the people already in the Kingdom. It is grace and Jesus’ righteousness not our own that grants us citizenship. If you are faced with not looking at women with lust or plucking out your eye, the choice is obvious—stop looking!
And when it comes to the marriage commitment, Jesus is also clear: it is a life-long commitment. In the Kingdom of Heaven there is no divorce. Now, in the already-not-yet that we live in, there are things like spousal abuse; and rare as it may be, sometimes one spouse is abandoned at no fault of their own. There is grace for these circumstances too. But when entering into a marriage, or for those who are in one already, we need to realize and consider what God’s design is and chose to live the commitment He desires.
Jesus minces no words here. He is not interested in any wiggle room. One of the highest values in the created order is the love relationship between a man and a woman. Love, not just romance, sex, or even pleasant friendship. All of those things are only ultimately possible in a committed, never questioned, trusting bond. And Jesus here again takes things to the heart level. In a marriage, the commitment should be so high that wandering thoughts are never entertained.
In this passage, the legalists are thrown for a loop. They are so caught up in the “rule of law” that they take Jesus’ hyperbole for new standards. When Jesus talks about plucking eyes out and chopping off hands, He is not suggesting people should do this. Remember, this sermon is addressed to the people already in the Kingdom. It is grace and Jesus’ righteousness not our own that grants us citizenship. If you are faced with not looking at women with lust or plucking out your eye, the choice is obvious—stop looking!
And when it comes to the marriage commitment, Jesus is also clear: it is a life-long commitment. In the Kingdom of Heaven there is no divorce. Now, in the already-not-yet that we live in, there are things like spousal abuse; and rare as it may be, sometimes one spouse is abandoned at no fault of their own. There is grace for these circumstances too. But when entering into a marriage, or for those who are in one already, we need to realize and consider what God’s design is and chose to live the commitment He desires.
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