In this thought-provoking episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most perplexing aspects of Jesus's teachings: those moments when his words seem impossibly harsh or difficult to follow. With honesty and transparency, Adam explores Jesus's command to "cut off your hand" or "pluck out your eye" if they cause you to sin. He unpacks what Jesus really meant by these jarring statements and helps listeners understand when to take Jesus literally versus when he was speaking figuratively. Through real-life examples and historical context, Adam offers a fresh perspective that makes these challenging teachings not only understandable but also deeply meaningful for our lives today.
Episode Highlights:
The Power of Prophetic Hyperbole: Adam explains how Jesus often spoke in what scholars call "prophetic hyperbole"—using dramatic exaggeration to make powerful points that shake up his listeners. Far from expecting to be taken literally, Jesus was emphasizing the seriousness of sin and our need to address it radically.

Marriage, Divorce, and Grace: When discussing Jesus's seemingly harsh teachings on divorce, Adam provides crucial historical context about women's vulnerability in first-century society and reveals how Jesus was actually protecting women while upholding the sanctity of marriage—all while leaving room for grace in broken situations.

The Woman at the Well: Through the story of Jesus's compassionate interaction with a Samaritan woman who had been married five times, Adam illustrates how Jesus balanced high moral standards with extraordinary mercy and acceptance—proving we can take his teachings seriously without being legalistic.

Wealth and the Kingdom: Is it really "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven"? Adam unpacks this famous teaching to reveal Jesus's warnings about wealth without condemning prosperity itself.

Serious, Not Literal: The episode culminates in a liberating principle for interpreting Jesus's challenging words: we are meant to take Jesus seriously but not always literally, understanding both the high ideals he calls us toward and the grace he extends when we fall short.
In a world that often dismisses Christianity as judgmental or simplistic, this episode offers a refreshing alternative—a faith that embraces questions, acknowledges complexity, and finds hope in Jesus's teachings rather than confusion or despair. Whether you're skeptical about faith, wrestling with doubt, or simply curious about what Jesus really meant, Adam's thoughtful exploration provides practical wisdom for making sense of Christianity's most challenging passages. By the end, you'll discover that Jesus's seemingly harsh words weren't meant to condemn us but to transform us, inviting us into a life of deeper meaning and purpose. Join the conversation and find out how these ancient teachings speak directly to our modern questions and struggles.