Wednesday after the Second Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on June 16, 2021 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV)
5:33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Devotion
We must remember that Christ speaks with Messianic authority when He interprets the Law. He does so in order that the intention of the Law may be fully realized. The Law prescribed oaths to remind man that he is always speaking in the presence of his God. Jesus instructs against the oath in order that His disciples may speak their every “Yes and No” as in the presence of God.
Consider these verses in the context of the entirety of chapter five and the harsh condemnation against hypocrisy that occurs through the entire account of Saint Matthew. The verses of chapter five reinforce and enhance each other powerfully. In verses 28, 32, 34, 39, and 44, Jesus’ disciples seem to be held to a higher standard than the Old Testament believers. Why is this the case? Because their righteousness should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees who misuse the Word of the Old Testament (Matt. 5:20). Also, this statement is a command of the Lord. Look at each one of these topics and you will fully appreciate the wretched state of poor sinners when compared to our Lord and Teacher. Who will save us from this body of death? Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, our Redeemer! (Rom. 7:21-25).
Prayer: O Lord, who never failest to help and govern those whom Thou dost bring up in Thy steadfast fear and love, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
