The Scary Part
If Matthew 5:29-30 is both literally and figuratively true as a parable, then it would appear that Jesus tells us to take up our cross to follow Him by cutting off our hands and gouging out our eyes, Matthew 10:38-39 . The problem with such an interpretation is that a person would run out of eyes and hands after committing only four sins. The only way for Matthew 5:29-30 to be 100% literal and true as a parable is if Jesus is talking about Himself. As such, Jesus was gouged out with a multi-stranded whip embedded with bits of broken pottery and metal. Then, He was cast out of the earth when they lifted Him up on a cross just like Moses lifted up the serpent on a wooden staff. Thus a parable (true historical or prophetic physical event on earth that teaches a spiritual truth or illustrates a promise to come as it already is in heaven) has been fulfilled in Christ. As believers, it is not too far fetched to prepare for this same kind of treatment in order to ...