Matthew 5:34-37. Swearing. 13 Jan 2023

Mat 5:34 But I say this to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God's throne; 35 or by earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. 37 All you need say is "Yes" if you mean yes, "No" if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the Evil One.

The message is simple: be transparent. Do not use needless big words.

I like the special way in which Jesus gives a meaning to:
a) Heaven: the throne of God.
b) Earth: the footstool of God.
c) Jerusalem: the city of the great King.
Very carefully I think: heaven is a more honored place than earth. Who is the great King? Written with a capital in my bible translation. Let me assume: the coming King, and Jerusalem the city where Jesus might return. But as Jesus says: let's keep it simple. Unfortunately, Jesus seldom answers a question with a clear "Yes" or "No". He makes us thinking ourselves or He explains.

Prayer

I pray that the great King may find a welcome in Jerusalem.

Self Evaluation

I am very slow to promise that I will never do a certain thing. For a simple promise for the nearby future I am more open.