Cut Out My Eye??

Matthew 5:21-37

This, my friends, is not an easy passage.  Take a look at what Jesus says in this part of the Sermon on the Mount:

• If I look at a woman lustfully, I've already committed adultery?
• If my right eye causes me to stumble, cut it out??
• If my right hand causes me to stumble, cut it off??
• Divorce is only valid if there is adultery?
• Anger is the same as murder?

Jesus is not giving us an easy way out, is he?  He is not saying, just be a good person and you will earn your way into heaven.

In fact, he KNOWS that we can't be good on our own.  See Romans 3:23, when Paul tells us that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

So what do we do?  Do we indeed cut out our eye?  Cut off our hand?  Judge those who are angry and take their anger to court?  Judge those who divorce over cruelty?

No, no, no and no!  But we must come to God's throne and say, Lord, I can't do it on my own strength.  I want to be good, but I fail.  Daily.  Hourly.  I know that the only way to be good is through the cross.

When Jesus says to cut our our eye, I think he is referring to what we see - do we focus on what is good, what is pure, what is just, what is righteous?

When he says to cut off your hand, perhaps he is talking about what we do - do we serve him?  Do we act justly, do we love mercy, and do we walk humbly with our God as Micah says in Micah 6:8?

Today is the start of a new week.  Every day, Lord, help me to live for you.  And when I fall short help me to fall into your arms, where there is forgiveness and love.
Amen.