A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

TAKE TEMPTATION AND SIN SERIOUSLY     

Matthew 18:8-9 “ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” 

Earlier in this chapter Jesus spoke about sinful forces in the world entrapping Christians into committing sins. The “old evil foe” knows where you are spiritually weakest. He knows which sins are most likely to entice, seduce and lead you into sinning. You know this has been Satan’s way of leading us human beings into sin. The first sin of Eve came about through Satan getting her to look with her eyes at the forbidden fruit. He caused her to see what God had told her was not good for her, to see it as good to eat. And Adam followed Eve’s lead. 

If it is not your eyes, it might be your hands that God created to use for honest work. Satan deceives and distorts you to use your hands to steal, hurt your neighbor, or worse yet, take their life. While God created you and your hands to do good you use them to commit sins. 

In today’s devotional verses Jesus says it is better for you to physically cut off your hand rather than use it to sin. Yes, that is drastic, but then sin is drastic and the consequences are eternal. Thanks be to God He sent Jesus to take on all the forces of evil in your behalf. Jesus comes to you to lead you away from evil onto “paths of righteousness for His sake.” (Psalm 23)   

Thankfully, through Jesus you conquer sin, Satan, and the world. Through His perfect life, death, and resurrection He has defeated these evil foes. There is no need to cut off your hand(s), remove your eye(s), etc. Instead, through Jesus your sins are forgiven and you have peace with God. 

Prayer: Jesus, as my Good Shepherd, lead me through this life to eternal life with you. Amen. 

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won;  
And although the way be cheerless,  
We will follow calm and fearless.  
Guide us by Thy hand   
To our fatherland. 

If the way be drear, If the foe be near,  
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;  
Let not faith and hope forsake us;  
For through many a woe  
To our home we go. 

When we seek relief From a long-felt grief,  
When temptations come alluring,  
Make us patient and enduring.  
Show us that bright shore   
Where we weep no more. 

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won.  
Heav’nly leader, still direct us,   
Still support, console, protect us,  
Till we safely stand In our fatherland.  

Jesus, Lead Thou On // LSB 718