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 is if Jesus is talking about Himself. As such, Jesus was gouged out with a multi-stranded whip embedded with pits 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. As believers, it is not too far fetched to prepare for this same kind of treatment in order to fellowship in Christ's sufferings. That is when Matthew 10:31-39 comes into play. Matthew 10:31-39 31 "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 32 "Therefore everyone who confesses M