While Al Debelak is on vacation, we will be re-posting devotions from June of 2000.
Text: Matthew 5:27-30
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 has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If youright eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into heall. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lost one of youre members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Shades of Jimmy Carter! In light of Bill Clinton's activities, President Carter's statement about lusting in his heart was an honest, forthright and faithful statement. I say faithful because the truth is...haven't we all. Rather than setting up a false notion of "keeping the commandments," Jesus presses all of us to take another look (not lustfully of course) at what all of us do so readily. Obviously, adultery is a lust to have that is carried out no matter what it will do to the relationships at hand. I become like God - along with a consenting partner - and then we act on what we have judged to be appropriate God-like behavior - that is, doing what we please. But what a lie! It is not God-like behavior to have what we want. It is God-like behavior to honor committed relationships. It is God-like behavior to not treat another person as an object for which we can lust. And yet, we all lust like that - to varying degrees. Here we are reminded to keep that notion before us and not to let it go farther. Do not let such lusting lead us into actions that will more deeply break up our present relationships, and make sure that as we remember our "lusting in our hearts" we will not be people who judge others...but we look first at our own part in all the objectifying of people for the use of others. I'm often asked if this means that we are not to look at someone who we view as attractive. Of course not. There are too many cultures and religious movements that so restrict viewing of the opposite sex that the culture then becomes wrapped in legalism that stiffle the wonderful interchange and relationships that can happen between the sexes. The hyperbole used in this text is meant to help us deal with a problem before it becomes one.
Connection: To treat others as a thou to our I. I still find Martin Buber's words powerful images. The person(s) who pass by us are not objects - an "it" - and never will be in God's eyes. An exercise for today. When you have the opportunity, enter into a conversation and attempt to keep focused on the worth of that person. You goal - to help yourself see them as a person - a "thou" and not an "it" in any way.
O God bless our day with the gifts of your people. Enable us to treat those around us as you see them - your beloved. Remind us to honor the relationships of others and use us as intruments us to keep those relationships growing and strong. Amen.
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