"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
Today's quote, much more than simply definines what constitutes adultery, it demonstrates how impossible it is for an inherently sinful human race to live up to the standards established in Old Testament law.
Today, there are many who believe that in order to commit adultery one must actually engage in sexual contact with someone other than one's own husband or wife. As we see in today's quote, that is not at all true. If anyone, with lust in his/her heart, merely looks at someone other than husband or wife, that one is just as guilty of the sin of adultery as is one who actually has physical, sexual contact.
"Thou shalt not commit adultery" is another one of the specific Ten Commandments that were given to Moses by the hand of God.
I believe that in this series of lessons, Jesus intended to demonstrate how utterly impossible it is for inherently sinful mankind to be eternally saved by obeying the letter of the Old Testament law.
I believe Jesus intended to demonstrate the need for a one-time-fits-all redeemer who could stand as an unblemished, perfect intercessor, or sacrifice, between the sinful nature of mankind and a loving, forgiving God.~
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