"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Mt 5.27-28
Interpretation- Jesus is emphasizing what our 'heart' does, in contrast with legalistic regulations specified by 'The Law'. A simple test of one's actions, such as- do they fit within regulatory boundaries, does not go deep enough to ascertain if one is following God's will. This teaching, which probably developed out of repeated interactions with Jews who asked if they would enter God's kingdom by obeyed the Ten Commandments, gives us a simple, clear view of the importance of 'heart' over 'head' in Jesus' teaching.
Today this teaching is even MORE important. In the 'information age' data/information has essentially been 'deified'. People are convinced the more information they can have 'at hand', the more control they will have over the outcomes of their lives...whether those outcome are secular or spiritual. The sad result of this 'idolatry' is that people 'fill up' with information, and have no time or energy to find their 'wholeness'.
I'm continually amazed at how accurately and clearly Jesus' teachings were documented. Almost 2000 years have passed since he taught, and we've seen amazing developments in science and learning, yet the truths he shared with 1st century Jews applies no less accurately to citizens of Post-modern Western culture!
Matthew
Interpretation- Jesus is emphasizing what our 'heart' does, in contrast with legalistic regulations specified by 'The Law'. A simple test of one's actions, such as- do they fit within regulatory boundaries, does not go deep enough to ascertain if one is following God's will. This teaching, which probably developed out of repeated interactions with Jews who asked if they would enter God's kingdom by obeyed the Ten Commandments, gives us a simple, clear view of the importance of 'heart' over 'head' in Jesus' teaching.
Today this teaching is even MORE important. In the 'information age' data/information has essentially been 'deified'. People are convinced the more information they can have 'at hand', the more control they will have over the outcomes of their lives...whether those outcome are secular or spiritual. The sad result of this 'idolatry' is that people 'fill up' with information, and have no time or energy to find their 'wholeness'.
I'm continually amazed at how accurately and clearly Jesus' teachings were documented. Almost 2000 years have passed since he taught, and we've seen amazing developments in science and learning, yet the truths he shared with 1st century Jews applies no less accurately to citizens of Post-modern Western culture!
Matthew
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