(a) From the Sermon on the Mount, state how Jesus handled the issues of adultery, divorce and swearing. (b) Indicate the two lessons to be drawn from Jesus'...

Answer Details

(a) Jesus' teaching on adultery, divorce and swearing in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:27-37)

Adultery.

• Jesus recalled the command, You shall not commit adultery, but deepened it, teaching that whoever looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
• He used vivid language, saying that if the right eye or right hand causes one to sin, it is better to pluck it out or cut it off than for the whole body to be thrown into hell. He thus located sin in the heart, not merely the outward act.

Divorce.

• The law of Moses permitted a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce. But Jesus taught that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. He thus upheld the sanctity and permanence of marriage.

Swearing (oaths).

• The people were told not to swear falsely but to perform their oaths to the Lord. Jesus commanded, Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, nor earth, nor Jerusalem, nor by one's own head.
• Instead a Christian's word should be simple and truthful: Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No; anything more comes from evil.

(b) Two lessons to be drawn from Jesus' attitude

1. God is concerned with the inner heart, not just outward conduct. True righteousness begins with pure thoughts and motives, not merely avoiding the outward act of sin.
2. Christians must be truthful and faithful. They should honour the permanence of marriage and be so honest that their plain word can be trusted without the need for oaths.