We return to the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ description of His kingdom. Kingdom citizens will stand out. We’re from a different culture with a peculiar set of values. Jesus didn’t abolish the Law, but fulfilled it. He didn’t say the Law was unimportant, but that it was so supremely important that even the “professionals,” the Pharisees, couldn’t live up to its demands. The Law exists in order to show us our need for a Savior.
Lust and Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (ESV).
The prohibition against adultery was part of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:14). Elsewhere in Scripture it is made clear that this means no sexual relations outside of lifelong, monogamous, heterosexual marriage. In Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22, the judgment for adultery is the death penalty. In our promiscuous culture today, we can hardly imagine this being the case. It sounds like something out of 17th century Puritanism.
As was the case with murder, Jesus doesn’t leave it at outward behavior, but expands the Law to include the intents of the heart. One who has lustful intent has already committed adultery in his or her heart. The act of adultery is just the tip of the iceberg. Many, if not all of us, are guilty of secrets sins of the heart and eyes. Lustful looks and daydreams, pornography and suggestive romance novels—these aren’t just acceptable and excusable facts of modern life. Jesus calls it sin.
The Damage
29 “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”
Although Jesus is exaggerating the picture, the point is that lustful looks and intents are just as damaging to our relationships with God and others as the act of adultery is. We may like to think “My sin is not really that bad compared to others,” but that is not God’s view. His standard is perfection, and even our seemingly small sins condemn us.
Jesus was serious about the standards and their consequences, but He was also deeply loving toward sinful people on many occasions throughout His life. Although there is some debate as to whether John 8:1-11 was part of the original canon of Scripture, it is consistent with Jesus’ teachings and His interactions with people. When a woman caught in adultery was brought before Him, He challenged, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” The religious leaders slowly realized that none of them were sinless. Jesus did not condemn the woman, though as the Son of God He had the right to do so. But He also didn’t simply look the other way. He knew that someone would indeed die for her sins—Jesus Himself. His death on the cross makes no sense if sin doesn’t really matter. Every one of us need rescue from damnation and the wrath of God because of our sin.
Jesus didn’t throw out the Law and say, “Go and do what you want.” Instead He urged the woman, “Go and from now on, sin no more.” When we have encountered Jesus, we are to be shaped by Him and made more like Him.
Sin is unfathomably serious, but God’s grace is unfathomably deep. We can’t make ourselves righteous, but we must come to Christ and let Him save us. As those who have been saved despite our complete unworthiness, we should be humble, grateful, and gracious witness to God’s love.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come… Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God make His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:17, 20-21).
Discussion Questions
1) Consider what can be learned from the following Scriptures: Mark 7:20-23; Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Galatians 5:19-25; and 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7.
2) What actions can you take to put off the old person and put on the new (Col. 3:1-13)?
3) Are there specific temptations that you need help fighting? Take the next step to talk to a more mature Christian for prayer and counsel.
