Tuesday Sermon: Metaphors to Explain Sin

          Today's Gospel has often been confusing to people, even when they understood that Christ was speaking metaphorically, using hyperbole to emphasize just how important it was that we avoid sin.  In this passage, Jesus refers to the “hand,” the “foot,” and the “eye”. These are our three problem areas when it comes to dealing with sin.

          One of the words that was often used in older translations for this passage was "offend".  If you remember the passage as I do, the King James version reads:

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

          So there are several things here to note.  In this instance, to "offend" is to lead someone to sin.  This can be through directly leading someone to sin, as in the case of Eve offering Adam the apple, or Aaron creating a statue of gold for the people to worship; it can be leading someone to sin indirectly, when we treat others in unkind or unloving ways, which can spark an angry or frustrated reaction.  Leading someone to sin can be through setting a bad example, particularly if you're considered an upstanding member of the community.  People can be led to sin because we failed to lead them to righteousness, in failing to give them the spiritual food for which they are starving. 

          The three body parts describe all the areas where we humans are tempted to sin.  What Jesus is talking about in these verses is how we are to deal with our sins. When temptation to sin comes into our lives, we must deal with it immediately, harshly, ruthlessly, consistently and decisively! Sin should receive no quarter within our own hearts.  There were some in the early church who believed the passage was literal, and Origen actually emasculated himself in order to prevent himself from the sin of lust.  What he didn't realize was that it is not the body part that causes us to sin.  It is the heart, and the metaphors used tell us how to change our hearts – our bodies will follow along.

          The hand refers to the things we do, activities in which we engage, relationships we have with others.  If any of those things are causing us to sin, then we need to evaluate our activities and the people in our lives.  See what needs to be changed in order to live the life Christ is asking of us.

          The foot refers to the places we go, areas that can encourage behaviors that are good for our souls, or areas where we will find temptations and others who will help us normalize sin in our lives.  Think about where you go, and whether it feeds or starves your soul.

          The eye refers to the things we see or desire to have, but we must evaluate again whether those things feed us, or "offend" us.  Many in this day and age are finding that the internet is certainly a place where the eye can offend.

          The last thing to mention here is where there is a discussion of the worm and the unquenchable fire.  The King James version obviously emphasized the unrepented sins that lead to hell, where the Revised Standard version summarizes it into one statement.  In this instance, Jesus is referring to a place well known to the people of the time – the ever burning fires in a pit at Gehenna.  It's estimated these days that where you have a heap of trash, the decomposition will eventually cause spontaneous combustion, and the fires can burn unceasingly if always provided with fuel.  In this pit, people threw trash, slaughtered animals, criminals, etc. and so the fires seemingly never went out.  As people decompose, we often find the worms or maggots that consume the body.  Here Christ was describing hell in a way that people might understand – a worm that would never die, but always consume your flesh, in a burning pit like the fires of Gehenna. 

          This passage emphasizes just how important one's choices and actions are, particularly where "little ones" are referenced – those learning about God, those marginalized and unprotected, those who we are here to serve as baptized members of Christ.  Examine your hands, feet and eyes, and be certain that your choices serve God's people.