A complex world made simple

The Bible book of Matthew chapter 5 is a moral compass. It is the account of a long sermon by Jesus that has come to be known as the Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, Jesus deals with sundry moral issues like divorce, adultery, murder and taking revenge. My thoughts today however turn to verse 37:

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Before this statement, Jesus had been talking about the practice of swearing by heaven or some other celestial body in order to convince one's listeners that one is telling the truth. In response to the skepticism of people about what we are saying, we swear. Jesus says that this should not be so. A simple and honest 'Yes' or 'No' is enough.

Can you imagine a court of law scenario, where the lead prosecutor has a witness for the defense in the dock. The last thing this witness wants to say and mean is a simple 'Yes' or 'No'. Even when the witness says 'Yes', everybody is thinking, 'Does he really mean 'Yes'? Is it a 'Yes, but....' or a 'Yes, and .....'

Our world has become a place where we do not take people at their words. There are hidden agendas and conspiracy theories everywhere. Human relationships have become very complex indeed. It is into this complex world that Jesus seeks to bring order and simplicity when he says a simple 'Yes' or 'No' truly spoken and meant should settle all matters.

This kind of world is possible. It can begin with you.

Be blessed today.