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ral Jewish tradition says that Rabbi Gidal and Rabbi Jochanan were accustomed to sitting at “the place
of dipping” where the Jewish women would come to wash themselves. When someone admonished them they were
in danger of lasciviousness [sexual arousal], Rabbi Jochanan answered, “I am of the seed of Joseph, over
whom an evil affection could not rule.” This religious leader either believed he was above it all, had
no emotions while watching women bathe or he pretended to be spiritual and above it all. Today, our world has
a more direct point of view - it does not matter what I do as long as I do not hurt or offend another person.
That is a godless, self-centered, self-focused view. Our holy God, Jesus Christ, has already spoken on this
topic,
You have heard that it was said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY”; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. (NASB) Matthew 5:27-28 You have Heard. The Jewish leaders had distorted the law, so it is no surprise that Jesus desired to correct
their false teaching. Jesus did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). This included
correcting their error. Jesus has just finished telling the crowd their spiritual leaders were not very righteous
(Matthew 5:20). Their pattern of life was modeling the road to hell! It sounds like some of our spiritual leaders
today. There is a statement among Christian leaders that says, “We live in a glass fish bowl, and all
it takes is one rock to shatter it.” The rock is sin, and the glass bowl is one’s area of ministry.
All that is needed is one significant, public sin - a rock - and one’s ministry can be destroyed. Many
Christian leaders today struggle with sin on the inside, and are afraid to tell anyone because they fear the
rock. They are like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day - focusing on the outward appearance! Jesus has
just told the crowd that God “throws rocks” when He sees anger, lust, greed, hatred, or other sins
in our heart.
Jesus is not finished. I am sure the religious leaders wished He were. But His next topic starts by quoting
the seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery.” The Greek word for adultery, MOICHEUO,
means “to adulterate,” “to commit adultery,” and “to be or to allow oneself to
be seduced.” External adultery was considered a grievous wrong and sin amongst the Jews.
But I Say. But they missed the point, so Jesus responds with a very strong statement. In the Greek, He emphasizes
the fact that He is speaking and says, “I say! “ and adds,
. . . that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. (NASB) Matt. 5:28 The picture Jesus paints is of a man who is looking and looking at a woman to sexually desire
her. The woman could be a real live, warm woman who is nearby or walking far away, or a woman in a magazine
or on the television or in the movies. Jesus’ illustration could have been about a woman longing for
a man too! Some women sexually long for a man whom they consider to be very spiritual. Many women sin when
they read romance novels. Jesus is not talking about a physical act, but desire in the heart.
Why do we start looking and sometimes desire someone else? Because we already have adultery in our heart.
We are sinners, and sin in anyone’s heart is still sin. Adultery starts in the heart and results in an
outward act. We can appear holy to others, look great, be nice to others, and be lusting after the man or woman
a few feet away. It is the heart that God cares about. Ten chapters later Jesus says our outward actions are
the result of sin in our own hearts,
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| Sermon on the Mount | |||||