A shorter passage today, but one that is filled with extreme imagery. Since the passage, and the podcast, are shorter, I encourage you to take a little extra time to read about these extreme images.

Self-mutilation is serious business, so why would Jesus use such language? Dr. Alyce McKenzie, from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX states, "Obviously, no one is a biblical literalist. Otherwise there would be a lot more people with one eye, one hand, or one foot. While we don't take these sayings literally, we are to take them seriously."

Take some time to read Dr. McKenzie's commentary on this passage. It might open you to a whole new understanding of the text.

Follow along here.