Title: “Oaths, Eyes & Cheeks, and Enemies” Script: Mt. 5:33ff
Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 3-2-25
Intro: The children’s song: “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes” was documented as early 1912. It has been sung in nearly every country of the world, although the tune for the lyrics is different, depending on the country. Regardless, children from the US to The Czech Republic, from South Korea to Great Britain, have learned the names of various body parts by singing this simple song. Well, this morning I will be once again preaching from a section of the greatest sermon ever preached. And, I am not sure I can put the title of my sermon to the tune of that famous children’s song, it certainly seems like it could be! Oaths and Eyes, Cheeks and Enemies. Somehow it just doesn’t have the same ring does it? However, it is just as universally applicable as the song, and definitely more important for one’s spiritual life.
Prop: Examining Mt. 5:33ff we’ll notice a few more areas in which the Christian is to display different behavior than that of his non-Christian counterpart.
BG: 1. SOM Mt. 5-7. Longest recorded unbroken section of Jesus’ teaching in the Bible.
2. SOM is about living as “Kingdom People” in Christ’s kingdom.
Prop: Follow w/me in Mt. 5:33ff as we notice a few more ways in which a Christian’s character should be different from those in the world.
I. Kingdom People: Oaths. V, 33-37
A. Jesus Declares that His Follows are to Live Differently than the world in Relation to Promises.
1. Jesus demonstrates the deceptive practiced by the Jews of His day.
a. We see in this passage that Jesus is speaking about “oaths and vows”. These are in fact two distinctly different items and not simply two words for the same item. An oath was concerned with one’s future actions. A vow related to objects and their use. Lev. 19:12 declared that in swearing an oath, the individual was not to use the name of the Lord falsely. Now, on that basis, the Jews developed a “Theology of Oaths” or better yet, a “Theology of Lies” so they could get out of fulfilling their oaths and vows!
b. Illust: Now, before we seem to come down too hard on the Jews, people the world over make allowances so they do not have to tell the truth or keep their promises. From the time we are children we have learned that whatever we say is negated by our hand hidden behind our back and crossing our fingers! (Think of the power in those 2 fingers! Or, maybe the power to dissolve a promise is behind the back!) In Medieval times crossed fingers began to be used to invalidate oaths.
2. What is Jesus saying here about our relation to oaths and vows?
a. V.34 – “Do not swear at all.” At 1st glance it seems like Christ is making a sweeping prohibition against any and all oath taking. Many Christians feel like this verse strictly prohibits swearing an oath in a court of law, so they “affirm” that their ensuing testimony will be truthful! Isn’t that the same thing??? It’s essentially saying: “Now I am really going to be honest..” Which implies what? 😊
b. Most likely, this is not what Jesus was addressing here in this passage. Why do I say this? Because during His own trial Jesus, although He had remained silent under questioning, responded to the high priest when he charged Christ with the following oath: “63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.” (Mt. 26:63-64).
B. Jesus is Teaching that Kingdom People are to Be Marked by Honesty.
1. Jesus condemns the Jews’ Behavior on 2 Specific Grounds.
a. It is utter hypocrisy! The Jews would swear by degrees so as to make their vows or oaths more serious. Here Jesus relates this: Heaven, earth, Jerusalem (Temple and gold in the temple!). So, essentially, by swearing by one of these items perceived a greater binding nature to the promise made. Jesus says that this is utter hypocrisy. Why would you swear by Heaven since it is God’s throne? Why would you swear by earth since it is God’s footstool? Why would you swear by Jerusalem since it is the city of the eternal King? In other words, God is everywhere and sees everything and hears everything. (Illust: We do the same: “I swear on my mother’s grave!” “I swear on a stack of Bibles.” “I swear to…” -When I hear those phrases used I am less inclined to believe the person, not more.
b. 2nd Jesus condemns this speech as being rooted in dishonesty. Making or taking an oath gave the appearance of a deep seated and serious commitment. What was made out to be a pious promise was nothing more than rank deception and a duplicitous heart.
2. How is the Christian to live in light of Christ’s teaching on oaths and vows?
a. Live honestly. Illust: Every parent has had a conversation similar to this: “Jimmy, did you take my cookie?” Jimmy replies: “I was watching tv.” “I didn’t ask you if you were watching tv.” “I asked if you took my cookie.” Jimmy responds: “There’s another one in the jar!” “Did you take my cookie? Answer me “yes” or no”! Is Jimmy lying? Technically no. Is he being deceptive and dishonest? Absolutely, yes! Illust: Many of us can remember the Starr report on Bill Clinton’s impeachment hearing when the president responded “That depends on what the meaning of the word “is” is.” Absolutely no one heard that reply and thought the president was more trustworthy than before he had made that statement. Jesus wants His followers to be honest.
b. Let your promise be a definite commitment without moral equivocation or attempts at deceit. Illust: We have recently seen three oaths of office in the new administration that gave rise to condemnation by various groups and individuals in our nation. VP JD Vance took oath with his family’s old Kentucky Bible (I didn’t know there was one. Like Kentucky rifle?). Complaint: Too religious. Kash Patel in taking oath of office for Director of the FBI took oath with hand on Bhagavad Gita. (Good news! Apparently not everyone is a Christian Nationalist in Trump’s cabinet!) Of course, the complaint was what? The wrong religion! President Trump did not place his hand on the Bible when taking his oath of office. What was the complaint? No religion!
C. Applic: Kingdom people are to be characterized by being honest people who do not have to qualify their speech and keep the commitments they make.
II. Kingdom People: “Eyes and Cheeks” v.38
A. Jesus next Declares how Kingdom People are to Respond to Offenses.
1. Next, Jesus defines what the behavior of offended followers of His should.
a. There are actually three important concepts in this section that have become part of our cultural speech in the West: “An eye for an eye”, “Turn the other cheek”, and “Go the extra mile.” These words have often been used to justify Christian pacifism. These words influenced Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, who in turn influenced Mahatma Ghandi, whose non-violent revolution end British colonial rule in India. I am not arguing the influence or power of these words, but I believe we may need to take closer look to see exactly what these words mean.
b. Illust: Alistair Begg has shared a humorous story. He was talking to a friend who was a missionary in language school for Russian. Begg jokingly said to the friend in response to struggle he was facing: “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Putting the phrase into his translation app the friend began to laugh at the “translation”. “The vodka is stronger than the beef!” No, the computer missed what we sometimes miss: the context! We sometimes miss the context of what Jesus is saying…and here is no different.
2. Let’s take a deeper dive into what Jesus is saying in this passage.
a. In Dt. 19:21 we see the original context of the idea/principle of “an eye for an eye”. Essentially, a crime or offense is to be responded to with a reciprocal level response of punishment. This restrained retaliation and revenge. New concept. The real fulfillment of the law, which Jesus is teaching here, is that the offended individual did not seek revenge and retaliation. In the same way as earlier Jesus talks about divorce. The Jews had so confounded the law that a man could divorce his wife for just about any reason, Jesus said that the faithful fulfillment of the law was seen in a lifelong marriage rooted in fidelity.
b. V.39 we see legal terminology enter into the message. “resist” which could mean “do not take to court” or “bear testimony against”. This isn’t saying you can’t resist when someone is mugging you or your wife. Rather, it is saying that as Christians we should not always demand our rights and thereby bleed the law and others for all they are worth. This is the principle that Jesus is teaching here: You and I are not to make our “rights” the basis of our relationships with others. We should be prepared to take the lower position, demonstrate humility, etc. There is a price in imitating Jesus in a fallen world. Be prepared for that. (It does not mean you can never use or demand your rights. Apostle Paul certainly did. Acts 16&25)
B. Jesus Gives Three Specific Illustrations to Demonstrate how the Citizen of His Kingdom is to Respond to Oppressors. (Some Christians attempt to use these verses in order to denounce a legal or military career. No. I think Jesus was using to point out the example He wanted us to follow with regard to personal relationships.)
1. 1st Illustration: “Turn the other cheek.” – We notice two items are important about this. First, the nature of this assault was to insult and not a violent attack. Illust: This was a huge insult or massive proportions. To strike someone on the face with the back of one’s hand could face a fine of a year’s wages. As such, it was an insult for which one individual had to take another to court, just like we would today for libel or defamation of character. Jesus is saying here, “Let the insults come, and show by your response that you feel no compulsion to retaliate. Do you know why you don’t need to retaliate? Because you are secure in your identity in Jesus Christ. Your reputation is secure in God’s sight. Let your response be gracious…just has His response to our sin and offense against Him was even more gracious. No one is won to Christ by spiteful retaliation.
2. 2nd Illust: “Give away your coat” v. 40 – Here Jesus is picturing a man being sued for his shirt or tunic and Jesus says to go ahead and give them your coat as well. I think that Jesus is expressing a very basic principle hear in a way that could not be mistaken. Jesus is not making a case for Christian nudists! Rather, the coat or cloak was held by Jews to be too important to an individual’s well being that it had to be returned by nightfall to its owner (Ex. 22:24). As such it was not only their coat, but a very poor person’s bedding. Jesus is saying here that when Christians meet with opposition and persecution, again, although they could, they should not stand on their legal rights, but like our Savior, offer grace.
3. 3rd Illust: “Go the extra mile” v.41 – The Roman Army had the right to compel people to assist them in certain situations. Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Christ’s cross for a short distance (Mk. 15:21). Roman soldiers could also force a person under their occupation to carry his military pack up to one mile. The Jews absolutely despised this practice because of the sting of humiliation of being a subjugated nation. I m sure the Romans abused this privilege regularly. When Jesus said to go the extra mile, He was telling His disciples that by voluntarily doing more than was required it demonstrated that you answered to a greater Emperor who was Sovereign over a greater Empire! Because of grace, the Christian is to do the unexpected out of love for others rather than retaliate on the basis of his/her rights.
C. Applic: Jesus is concerned about our eyes and our cheeks! As Christians, we are to live a lifestyle of grace in our relationships with others. This does not mean that you can never resist or seek legal representation, it does, however, mean that we are to have the interest of others in mind and not simply push for our own rights or live a lifestyle of retaliation.
III. Kingdom People: Enemies
A. Jesus Makes a Radical Proclamation for His Kingdom People: Love your enemies!
1. Again, Jesus’ interpretation expands on the Law of God to demonstrate the Law of Love.
a. Lev. 19:18 clearly taught that we were to love our neighbor. I want you to notice something. Many Christians say there is a dichotomy between the Law of God and the Love of God. I see no dichotomy. Friend, there is no conflict here between law and love! In fact, the command to LOVE is part of the LAW! Now many of the religious teachers of Jesus’ day then took this a step further. If the law was true, and it was, then certainly the opposite of the law was also true. If I am to love my neighbor then I am to HATE my enemies. The rabbis spent endless hours attempting to define the answer to the question: “Who is my neighbor?”
b. Illust: Jesus was once asked this very question: “Who then is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29 Ever notice on how that verse begins? “But wanting to justify himself, the man said to Jesus, “Who then is my neighbor?” We always attempt to justify our hatred or bigotry. We, like this man, can even attempt to justify to God Himself. In response, Jesus tells one of the most famous of all of His parables: The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
2. Do you see what Jesus demonstrates here in the Law of God to us?
a. The law restrains our hatred, it does not justify it against those whom you do not consider to be your neighbor! The question that remains from Jesus’ teaching is pretty practical: “Can I really those who have been hostile towards us?” If you choose to live according to the world’s standard, then NO! The world will at the bare minimum say that we should ignore our enemies, while at worst telling us to retaliate in full towards them.
b. Illust: I love that scene early in Les Miserable where Jean Valjean has assaulted the priest and stolen the silverware. It is in fact the scene that changes the convict’s life. The soldiers have caught the guilty bandit and return him to the priest and say that he told them the priest had given the articles to the criminal as a parting gift. The priest agrees with the contrived story and sends the soldiers away. “Why have you done this?” asks the dumbfounded former convict. “Jean Valjean, you are a new man. You no longer belong to evil. With this silver I have bought your soul. I have ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.” Only the Kingdom of God can change a man’s future. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can deliver us from evil and ransom us to fear and hatred. Only Christ can help you to love your enemies!
B. How is the Christian to React to his/her “enemies” in Response to Christ’s Teaching?
1. Let us First look at the example of our Savior.
a. Illust: When you were little did anyone ever say of you… “Like father, like son.”? Did you remember how proud that made you feel? How are we to act towards those who hate us or mistreat us for our faith? How did Jesus demonstrate what our reaction should be? Jesus loved those who persecuted Him. He prayed for His enemies, and on the cross with some of the last words from His dying body He breathed out: “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” Lk. 23:34
b. What was Stephen’s response in the early church? In Acts 7 Stephen is making his defense before the Sanhedrin. Back in Acts 6:8 the WOG says of Stephen that “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs…” The Jews are furious because many are turning to Jesus and so they come up with a scheme to falsely accuse him of blasphemy and have him arrested. In making his defense he outlines the rebellious history of Israel. The leaders of the people become so angry they begin to gnash their teeth like rabid dogs. As the furious council begins to stone Stepehen he looks to heaven and like our Lord, commits his soul to heaven and pleads that God would forgive his killers’ sin (Acts 7:60)
2. Jesus demonstrates an important point in calling His followers to forgive their enemies.
a. How can we testify to changed lives if we merely do what others do…love our friends and family. However, when we love those who hate us, those whom the world hates, those whom no one loves, then it demonstrates to a waiting and watching world that Jesus Christ is different. When we love the unlovely…when we love those who have hated and rudely misused us…when demonstrate that we and our faith is extraordinary! We demonstrate that our God is extraordinary! I am so very glad that God’s love was not merely based on my response to Him! I would be damned to this day! But praise the Lord! He sent His Son to seek and save the lost! Including me and you!
b. Illust: Corrie Ten Boon was a Dutch spinster who along with her sister and father hid Jews in Amsterdam during WWII. Eventually they were captured and both her sister and father died in the German prison camps. It was in a church in Munich in 1947 she saw him, a balding heavyset man in a gray overcoat, a brown felt hat clutched between his hands. People were filing out of the basement room where she had just spoken. I had come from Holland to defeated Germany with the message that God forgives. It was the truth they needed most to hear in that bitter, bombed-out land, and I gave them my favorite mental picture. “When we confess our sins,” I said, “God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever.” The congregation stood up and silently left the gathering. The man approached her, one of her former tormentors, a guard from Ravensbrook. “You mentioned Ravensbrück in your talk,” he was saying. “I was a guard in there.” “But since that time,” he went on, “I have become a Christian. I believe that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fräulein”–his hand came out–“will you forgive me?” She said it was the hardest decision she ever had to make…and she knew she had to. She prayed: “Jesus help me…and raised her hand.” The man broke into tears. “Now I know it is true! I know God can forgive me because you have forgiven me!
c. Applic: Those who were able to forgive their former enemies were able also to return to the outside world and rebuild their lives, no matter what the physical scars. Those who nursed their bitterness remained invalids. It was as simple and as horrible as that.
