TEACHING NOTES Introduction Today we continue Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where He lays out the new covenant of the kingdom. Jesus began with telling us what kind of people will be His kingdom on earth (the Beatitudes). Now Jesus is giving the laws of the kingdom. We have already covered anger and lust, and today Jesus is going to teach us about being honest and truthful. Matthew 5:33 ESV 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ You shall not swear falsely = This command comes from Lev. 19:12 “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.” But it is also connected to Ex. 20:15 “You shall not steal [Heb. tignob - deceive].” The issue here is being deceptive. Perform to the Lord what you have sworn = From Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21; Eccles. 5:4. If you make a promise to God, you must fulfill what you have promised. How were the Jewish leaders using this command? If we read ahead to Matt. 23:16-22, we learn that the Pharisees were teaching people that swearing by the temple, or by the gold of the temple, or by the altar, or by heaven to add credibility to what they have said or promised. They had turned God’s command to be honest into selfish way to add credibility to oneself. This flawed teaching of twisting God’s word for personal gain was the reason Jesus wants to reteach or redefine God’s command. ​ Matthew 5:34–36 ESV 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But I say to you = This shows that Jesus is claiming authority to reinterpret the Torah and give new commands. Do not take an oath at all = Jesus understands that God never commanded anyone to swear oaths, but only that one should keep their word. For Jesus, swearing an oath is not only unnecessary but also puts us at risk of failing to fulfill what we have sworn. Historical Context: A common teaching and practice in Jesus’ day was to swear by sacred objects to avoid swearing by God’s name. This Jewish practice was called kinnuyim. It was believed that deception was less harmless if they swore oaths by objects than if they swore by God’s name. This was their way of avoiding breaking the 3rd commandment, “You shall not carry the the name of the LORD God in vain” (Ex. 20:7). By heaven, for it is the throne of God = Don’t swear by heaven, because it is God’s throne and it does not belong to you. Isaiah 66:1 “Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...” By the earth, for it is his footstool = Don’t swear by the earth, because it does not belong to you. Also from Isa. 66:1. By Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king = Don’t swear by Jerusalem, because it does not belong to you. The idea that Jerusalem is the city of the great king comes from Psalm 48:2. By your head, for you cannot change your hair color = To swear by your head was to swear on your life. Don’t swear on your life, because it belongs to God. Consider the Logic of Swearing: If you swear on your grandmother’s grave, that in no way makes you more truthful or trustworthy. It only shows that you are trying to convince someone that you are speaking the truth. Swearing only adds consequences, not credibility. ​ Matthew 5:37 ESV 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. Let what you say be simply “Yes” or “No” = There is no need to swear if you are being honest and truthful. Jesus is saying that swearing is a dishonest way to add credibility to our words. Why? If we feel the need to add credibility, we either have a history of lying, and are trying to regain credibility, or we want to elevate ourselves. For Jesus, either we are telling the truth or we are lying. The need to swear seems to be an indication that we might be lying. Anything more comes from evil = "From evil” should be translated “from the evil one” as it is singular and genitive in Greek. Jesus is saying that our need to add credibility to our words is either from the devil, or at least puts us on his team. Jesus called the devil “the father of lies” (see John 8:44). Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” James 5:12 “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” Why does this matter for us today? The world runs on deception and sells deception daily. Anything sold requires a price. The price of deception is higher than we can afford. The church must be founded on the Truth (Jesus), live in truth, and then speak truth. ​ John 4:24 ESV 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” ​ John 8:31–32 ESV 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ​ John 16:13 ESV 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ​ John 17:17–19 ESV 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. Three Forms of Deception: Telling lies and/or living a lie. Believing lies from the outside. Self-deception. ​ Psalm 139:23–24 ESV 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Conclusion Today we end our gathering with asking God to search our hearts to see if we are believing lies or deceiving ourselves. Ask God to help you expose deception and live in His truth.