[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 19
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:5-6)
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9)
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14)
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21)
“Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24)
“With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)
DIVORCE (vs. 1-12)
Some Pharisees came to test Jesus and asked Him: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (v. 3). Jesus stated that when a man and a woman marry, the two will become one flesh and they are no longer two but one. Therefore, they should not separate except for marital unfaithfulness. Jesus said that Moses permitted them to divorce because of their hardened hearts.
The disciples then said to Jesus: “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry” (v. 10). Jesus said that it is not His will for all His servants to remain single. The Bible does not exalt celibacy. It does not also indicate that everyone should get married either. A person must find God’s will for his life and be sure to marry “in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39)
THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND JESUS (vs. 13-15)
The disciples rebuked those who brought little children to Jesus. But Jesus told them not to hinder children to come to Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them (v. 14)
THE RICH YOUNG MAN (vs. 16-30)
A young man came to Jesus and asked three questions:
- What good things must I do to get eternal life? (v. 16)
- Which commandments? (v. 18a)
- What do I still lack? (v. 20)
Jesus responded to his questions as follows:
- If you want to enter life, obey the commandments (v. 17)
- Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself (v. 18b)
- If you want to be perfect go, sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me (v. 21)
The young man went away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus pointed out that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because his wealth is his god. He is unwilling to forsake his wealth and follow Him. The rich has a hard time to be saved because they trust in their riches.
Then Peter pointed to his own sacrifice and ask what rewards can he get. Jesus assured His disciples that they will get their rewards in the Kingdom age. But he warned them not to make themselves “first” because the first shall be the last. (v. 30)
SUMMARY:
There were conflicting interpretations of marriage laws between followers of Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shammai. The followers of Hillel interpreted Deut. 24:1 as anyone could divorce his wife for any cause while the followers of Rabbi Shammai insisted that marriage could be broken only by adultery. Jesus reminded the people about the original law of marriage that was established in the Garden of Eden, which was prior to the Mosaic law. He instituted marriage to continue the race (Gen. 1:28). for companionship and helpmate (Gen. 2:18), to avoid fornication (1 Cor. 7:1-6) and to show the relationship between Christ and His church (Eph. 5:22-23). Marriage is a physical union that only death can break the union. Marriage is a sacred union stronger than family ties because a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.
In the Mosaic law, God permitted Moses to give the divorce law because of their hardened hearts. Moses commanded that the divorced woman be given a divorce certificate to protect her and to make it more difficult for the man to divorce her anytime he wants. The woman was forbidden to return to her first husband but she could marry another man. This divorce law was temporary for Israel but not permanent for all people.
Christ permits divorce for only one reason – marital unfaithfulness (adultery). Divorce for any other reason makes the parties guilty of adultery if they remarry. Thus, only two physical causes can break the marriage union 0 death and adultery.
Let your children come to Jesus to receive His blessings.
The rich is hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because he values wealth more than God. Those who left everything to follow Christ will inherit eternal life and receive a hundred times.
Do not prioritize yourself because many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first (v. 30)[:]