Moving on with our series. We know that Jesus has come to fulfill the law not abolish it. We also saw last month how the Lord corrected the Pharisees and their misguided teaching of murder. This month we are going to see the Lord continue His schooling of the Pharisees by correcting their teaching concerning adultery. This month we are going to look at Matthew 5:27-30 where we read; “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: (28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

In this passage Jesus addresses the part of the law designed to protect marriage. We must remember marriage was divinely given to provide for the satisfaction of both the physical and emotional appetites that God gave to the man and woman. Hebrews 13:4 reminds us “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Likewise Paul stated in order for these appetites to be filled each man should have his own wife, and each wife her own husband. Notice with me 1 Corinthians 7:2 “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” Paul then outlined the physical responsibilities of marriage in verses 1 Corinthians 7:3-5.

We seem to have forgotten God instituted marriage to benefit society. God did not found society on the individual but on the family unit. To prevent a disruption of society, God protected marriage. The union of one man and one woman.

Furthermore we should remember God designed marriage to be an object lesson of His relationship with the believer. The born again Christian and Christ are inseparably united, the husband and wife have become one flesh and this pictures the Christian’s spiritual union. To protect these purposes God forbids adultery in the law. Contrary to what the Pharisees taught (and many today) refraining from the physical act did not meet the spiritual demands of the law, the law demanded not only abstinence from a physical act but from the lustful desire that would produce the act. Simply put the law demanded purity of thought as well as abstinence from the act. The Lord plainly tells us the one who lusts is guilty of adultery and has violated the law.