“Do Not Swear at All …

• Not by heaven (God’s Throne)
• Not by earth (God’s footstool)
• Not by Jerusalem (the Great King’s City)”

But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 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 even one hair white or black.

He Didn’t Say, “Keep it to a Minimum.” He said, “Don’t Swear at All.”

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The Grain Grows Productively

• First the Stalk
• Then the Head
• Then the Full Kernel

All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

The Verdant Seed of God’s Truth does Very Well in Fertile Heart-Soil

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Simon

• No Water/Towel for Foot-Washing
• No Kiss of Traditional/Formal Greeting
• No Oil of Welcome/Generosity

The Woman

• Wet/Wipe Feet with Her Tears/Hair
• Humble, Submissive, Grateful Kissing of Feet
• Valuable Oil “Wasted” as Perfume for Jesus’ Feet

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

The Smallest Expressions of Pride and Selfishness Create the Biggest Needs for Teaching and Forgiveness

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• He Had All Things Under His Authority
• He Had Come from Heaven on God’s Purpose
• He Had His Ultimate Destination Clearly in Mind

The Implications of Acceptance

• Accept Christ’s Messengers (in order to)
• Accept Christ the Ambassador (in order to)
• Accept Christ’s Commissioner (to keep things in order)

 Peter Stuck His Foot in His Mouth (Again) on its Way to the Wash Basin

• Dirty Feet
• Clumsy Hands
• Confused Head

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God [...] “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” [...] I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” NIV

Jesus Had Things All Worked Out, and Peter Didn’t

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• Crown of Thorns Misery
• Purple-Robed Ridicule
• Poison-Tongued Mockery

The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face. NIV

Physical, Emotional, and Verbal Abuse

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