Matthew 5:27-30 - In His second case study, Jesus explores the connection between the call to faithfulness to the one-flesh marriage covenant and the little looks and thoughts that reduce our brothers and sisters to sexual objects. In Jesus's kingdom, His disciples will fight to dignify one another as the divine image bearers that we are--and they'll live in light of the radical stakes that Jesus introduces here. All of this without shame, but in the loving light of the forgiving, merciful grace of our savior. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 6 of our series "Jesus's Sermon on the Mount: The Good Life in the Kingdom of Grace"]

Questions for reflection: 1) What parallels did you notice in the stories Cameron shared about women's response to Jesus in the 2nd century and British journalist Louise Perry's response to Jesus over the last few years? 2) Why are Christians sometimes accused of being anti-sex? How would you answer that charge? 3) Talk about "covenant commitment" as the center of the biblical sexual ethic. 4) Jesus affirms the Old Testament's prohibition of adultery, but then He reveals its deeper heart. Why is Jesus concerned with what people do even with their eyes and minds? 5) How is this teaching good news for women, in particular? 6) What are some radical measures you could take to step into this fight in light of verses 29-30?