“I say to you not to swear at all. . .”

The Pharisees were hypocrites, their character best revealed in the way they twisted the truth. They agreed it was wrong to swear an oath in God's name. But, on the other hand, they said, if you swore an oath to the high heavens or on all that is holy - - without actually naming God - - you weren't bound by the oath.

Christ told them such oaths made a mockery of truth. "Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no,'” He said. He expected His followers to be men and women of character, to remain true to their commitments.

Remember what Christ said to Pilate? "I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me."

"What is the truth?" Pilate asked. But Jesus didn't answer him.

Jesus didn’t reply because the truth is not a noun to be parsed; it is a verb to be lived. He showed Pilate and the entire world the meaning of truth through His actions. Jesus was true to His word. He was a man of character.

Isn't that a comforting thought - - to know that our God keeps His promises? When He says, "Truly, truly, he who believes has eternal life," He isn't exaggerating. When He says, "Your sins are forgiven," His fingers aren't crossed. When He says, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free," He means it.