In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is walking through a set of case studies on the thesis that he is the fulfillment of the Law. This section addresses oaths. In this case, he does not directly quote a specific passage though there are many that say relevant, similar things:
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. (Exod. 20:7)
Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. (Lev. 19:12)
When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. (Num. 30:2)
If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it. (Deut. 23:21)
What had happened in the previous years is that the inclination to avoid dishonoring God’s name had led to a game of finding loopholes, swearing by different things – heaven, earth, heads, gold – in order to give people an “out” if they end up breaking the oath. But Jesus says, no, that’s not how this works – it’s all connected to God, it’s all a statement of either truth or falsehood.
Jesus is calling us to be a people worthy of trust. It’s a sad fact that the people who protest the most about their honesty and integrity tend to be the ones who are least trustworthy.
We have also all seen how trust has eroded across our culture. Media, political leaders, religious leaders have all made assertions and promises that have ultimately been lies.
Jesus wants us to be something greater, a community held together by covenant loyalty. We are called to be a renewing agent among each other and in the world. We are not here to carefully navigate a set of arbitrary rules in order to make life easier for ourselves. It’s ultimately about our heart, not about checking the right boxes that let us behave like we wanted to in the first place.
Instead, Jesus just wants us to say yes or no and then follow through. There are no words so meaningless that we can be dishonest without care. There is not a special category of statements that really have to be true, and so all the rest can be lies or ignored.
Jesus wants us to be a people of integrity and truth, a people of Yes and No. Our words reflect on ourselves, our fellow believers, and ultimately Christ Himself. Let us live and speak in a way that reflects the truth and Faithfulness that He embodies.
— Sermon Notes, Dave Sim, Renew Church Lynnwood, WA, March 2, 2025
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