Sermon on the Mount -- Day 4

Chapter 172, the fourth Sermon on the Mount, addresses oaths, prayer, and fasting. Jesus condemns oaths, explaining they arise from dishonesty and lead to perjury, deemed impious and treacherous. He mandates simple "yes" or "no," forbidding all oaths as everything belongs to God. For prayer, Jesus rejects hypocritical public displays, advocating sincere, secret prayer from the heart; God knows needs and may deny requests for future benefit. Fasting should likewise be private and joyful, not for human praise, for divine reward. The chapter concludes with Jesus healing a sick woman and arranging for her to care for an old, lonely man, sending them to Lazarus of Theophilus for provision and a joyful Passover.