Simple Words

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 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 one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:27-37 

When we were children we doubled dared each other and swore loyalty to one another for life, sometimes even pricking a finger and mixing blood. I do not remember what we swore to, and even who I might have committed to. We are fickle human beings, who get swept away and then back pedal, all too often. I am reminded how easy it is to promise and how quickly we fail.

Jesus has some very harsh words in response to testing by the religious elite. They intended to trip him up in an argument. He must have known how divisive and manipulative these folks were. They were all guilty of treating others like chattel. They were constantly using laws to get away with mistreating others. We are all given to manipulation and divisiveness, and are cautioned today to beware how dangerous that can be. God invites us to a life of simple honesty.

Today, I ask God to help me live and simple and honest life. May we be called daily to serve others by being faithful, truthful and humble in all we do.