Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative in order to present Jesus in the context he walked with the unknown disciple that narrates presenting my thoughts and sparking more thoughts with his questions. Enjoy.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’”
Jesus was referencing the Law in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. An oath is invoking God’s witness that you’re telling the truth. Nothing wrong with that, right?
“But I tell you…”
Or not.
“…do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.”
Is Jesus saying that our integrity should be so great that we didn’t need an oath? I know a few thought that way.
A disciple leaned over, saying quietly, “I have always tried to avoid the curse by swearing on something less than God.”
“Not anymore,” I whispered back.
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
“Fear from the evil one?” What’s that mean? Any breaking of your word is evil? I can see the core of this being integrity though.
Matthew 5:33-37
Leviticus 19:12
Numbers 30:2
Deuteronomy 23:21-22
A Ronin's Journey 