Our small group Bible study is making our way through the book of Matthew. Right now, we are climbing the hill with Jesus’ followers and listening to Jesus preach the Sermon on the Mount. Most everyone in this group studies the passages we are learning ahead of time and we then come together to discuss what we have learned.

Because those in our group are from very diverse backgrounds, as we read, something may click specifically within our own experiences that colors our perception of that Scripture. We want to make sure by the time we leave our study that there is clarity of thought where questions may have arisen about the content.

As we started this study, I was searching for some good insight through various commentaries but I came away disappointed. In this particular passage, Jesus is speaking in plain language to the many disciples and crowds following him at the beginning of his ministry. I know in my heart that I should be able to completely understand these short, many only two verses, lessons but I was finding it difficult and it was frustrating. 

I searched the sermon archives of some of the regular pastors I enjoy, including Alistair Beggs and John MacArthur, but I came up empty. Because I very much enjoy The Bible Project’s short videos and podcasts, I also checked that site. Still, there was no deeper explanations until I searched Rev. Tim Mackie on YouTube and found a series of sermons he preached on Matthew in 2018.  

While I was feebly attempting to isolate this passage and figure out what it meant, Tim Mackie, a Bible and Jewish scholar, and an excellent teacher, pulled together passages from the Old Testament that everyone listening to Jesus that day were very familiar with and he sewed them together to give me the same insight that those listening to Jesus received that day. 

I was wowed by this study, which includes six videos in total. I will watch the remaining videos as we progress through our studies. The video I was viewing related to Matthew 5:27-30:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You Shall Not Commit Adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”

I could not easily connect the language of adultery and the removal of eyes and hands in this brief teaching. But, as I watched Tim Mackie explain this section, I was bowled over by the depth of insight he gives to this passage using pertinent Scriptures from the Old Testament.

In this lesson, he touches on the Genesis passages of God’s creation of man and woman and their purpose. He also throws in some excellent Scripture from Song of Solomon, which is a biblical love story.  There is a great teaching on the human desire that was given to us by God and which portion of that desire has been tainted by human fallenness. There probably isn’t anyone who believes in God that would not receive a clearer understanding of human fleshly desires verses God’s plan of human desires by viewing this sermon.

For every person who wants to know exactly what God’s design for us was at creation and what Jesus now desires and expects from His followers, I believe this video is a must-see. 

For me, this particular teaching was so moving that I immediately encouraged friends who have Bible believing teens to watch this video. Teen years are the time when, although our faith may be strong, our bodies are highly hormonal and knowing God’s truth and separating it from man’s sinfulness becomes truly helpful knowledge to keep us on the right path.

Of course, parents should view any video prior to watching with their children, if for no other reason than to know what is being said and to be prepared to answer questions that may arise because of the biblical information distilled.  

Jesus is clearly speaking to our hearts in these verses in Matthew. The video can be found on YouTube, “7. Jesus & Sexual Desire [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project).” I pray you might also enjoy the clarity I have now found in God’s words in Matthew.

ED. NOTE: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.