If your right eye causes you to sin, 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 sin, 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. (Matt 5:29-30) I doubt there’s a Christian alive who hasn’t been troubled by this verse. It’s one of those things you read that causes you to do a double-take. What?! Did Jesus really say that? Was he serious? I’d better ask the pastor. Chances are you came away thinking that Jesus wasn’t serious. After all, Jesus is the kindest person there is. He healed people. Surely he doesn’t want us to go around maiming ourselves. Then you looked around your church and saw that no one had actually chopped off their hands, so you took comfort in the fact that everyone thought the way as you did. There’s safety in numbers. No doubt this is an uncomfortable pair of verses. Maybe you don’t think about them that … Continue reading Chop Off your Hand?! Was Jesus Serious?