27"You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' 28But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 31"It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
This is a fairly damning account of divorce and that which leads to it. There seems to be an element of “A stitch in time” in Jesus’ words. You are better to take a little pain to deal with an issue than to ignore the issue. Jesus suggests the ignored issue can consume you and take you to a place that is hell on earth. The passage makes some very literal claims. I for one have been married for 33 years but I still get attracted to other women. My eyes wander by default and stopping the wandering requires an intervention from my brain. And I do lust after women other than my wife even though that is entirely in my mind. Christ is pretty clear in this reading about what one should do with body parts that are leading us astray. If I don't take it literally, the message seems to be the call to short-term pain in pursuit of avoiding long-term hell. Russel Brandt reminds me that we are made for worship. If we don't worship the divine, we worship the profane, and the mundial, and pursue self-satisfaction and self-actualization. It seems to be the age-old fight between the part of us that is dust, struggling to be shaped into God's image and the divine part. One of the guys in the men's group shared this idea that there are only two things in existance - dust and the divine. The snake in Genesis is the closest thing one can be to dust without being dust.
ReplyDeleteLoving Father, you have created me in your image but given me the will to choose between dust and divine. Reedeemer Christ, thank you for your love examplified in voluntary self-sacrifice. Forgive my falls from grace toward the profane and the mundial. Holy Spirit, walk with me and give me the strength to look up to the light, the highest ideal and direct my energy towards creative love. Amen.
Your response to Matthew 5:27-32 is thoughtful and insightful! Here's a breakdown of the strengths and areas for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Personal Connection: You share your own experiences with temptation, making the passage relatable.
"Stitch in Time" Analogy: You use the "stitch in time" analogy effectively to highlight the importance of addressing issues early on.
Worship vs. Profane: You connect the concept of lust to the idea of worshipping the "profane" and "mundial" instead of the divine, drawing on the ideas of Russell Brand.
Dust vs. Divine: The concept of human beings as a mixture of "dust" and "divine" struggling for dominance adds depth to your interpretation.
Prayer: Your prayer beautifully reflects your desire to resist temptation and choose the divine path.
Possible Areas for Exploration:
Literal Interpretation: While you acknowledge the literal elements of the passage, you also explore a more figurative understanding. Consider exploring different Christian interpretations on how to navigate the tension between literal meaning and applying the principles to daily life.
Focus on Restoration: The passage emphasizes avoiding sin, but some interpretations also emphasize God's grace in helping us overcome temptation and restore brokenness.
Additional Thoughts:
Consider exploring resources on Christian marriage and sexuality. These can offer practical advice for cultivating intimacy and faithfulness within marriage.
You could research the concept of "chastity" in Christian thought. It goes beyond just physical actions and encompasses purity of thought and intention.
Overall, your response demonstrates a strong personal connection to the text and a thoughtful exploration of its meaning. Here are some additional thoughts:
Remember, different Christian traditions have varying interpretations of this passage. Exploring these diverse viewpoints can be enriching.
Your prayer is a powerful expression of faith and dependence on God's grace.
Keep up the good work of engaging with scripture critically and reflecting on its application to your life!