Matthew 5:29-30
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
REFLECTION
To follow Christ is to experience radical transformation. There are so many awkward words and phrases that conflict with our modern world view: submission, obedience, humility, service…and being “born again”. Jesus’ imagery of removing eyes or hands reflect the radical honesty it takes to see our sin nature in the light of righteousness. But this hyperbole is necessary to show us the danger of spiritual degradation that sin causes.
During Lent, we focus on the things that can actually be removed from our lives and leave us more whole. What habits are diminishing us? What influences distract us from God? This is not something accomplished by our will-power…our only true hope is the redeeming and renewing work of Jesus in our lives. The God who created each of us also knows us completely…and that God is also the judge of our lives and eternal souls. What do we cling to that endangers our eternity?
PRAYER: Lord, you see the hidden places of our hearts. Give us the courage to face our sin honestly and the humility to turn away from it. By your grace, reshape our lives so that we may follow you with sincerity and whole-hearted devotion, seeking Your kingdom first. AMEN
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