SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 19
DIVORCE (vs. 1-12)
PHARISEE’S QUESTIONS AND JESUS’ REPLY:
- “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (v. 3). Jesus replied: “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the creator made them male and female and said, ‘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.” (v. 4-6)
- “Why then did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away? (v. 7) Jesus replied: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (vs. 8-10)
- “Is it better not to marry?” Jesus replied: “Not everyone can accept it, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way’ others were made that way by men’ and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept. it.” (vs. 11-12)
THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND JESUS (vs. 13-15)
When little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them, his disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (v. 14)
THE RICH YOUNG MAN (vs. 16-30)
A man came to Jesus and asked: “What must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus told him to obey the commandments. And he said he had already kept them. So Jesus said: “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). When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 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” (vs. 23-24) . Then the disciples asked: Who then can be saved?” (v. 25) Jesus answered: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (v. 26)
Peter said: “We have left everything to follow you. What then will there be for us?” (v. 27) Jesus answered: “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (vs. 28-30)
THOUGHTS:
MARRIAGE:
There were two schools of thoughts regarding divorce. One group supported divorce for almost any reason. The other believed that divorce could be allowed for marital unfaithfulness. When the Pharisees asked this controversial question, Jesus focused on marriage rather than divorce. He said that God’s original plan was one man for one woman for the rest of their lives. He pointed out that God intended marriage to be permanent but because of man’s sinful nature, divorce was inevitable. Moses instituted some laws to help the victims. God designed marriage to be indissoluble instead of looking for reasons to leave each other. Husbands and wives should concentrate on how to stay together. It takes a change of heart for the two people to make a new beginning and only Jesus can change hearts.
REMAIN SINGLE OR GET MARRIED?
Some have physical limitations that prevent them from marrying while others choose not to marry so that they have the time and freedom to serve God.
CHILDREN:
The best parents want their children to come to Christ, to love Him and receive His blessings.
WEALTH:
A young man asked Jesus how to have eternal life. In response to his question, Jesus told him to keep God’s 10 commandments. Jesus listed six of them, all referring to relationships with others. When the young man replied that he had kept the commandments, Jesus told him that he must something more – sell everything and give the money to the poor. Jesus’ statement exposed the man’s weakness because in reality, his wealth was his god and idol. He was not able to keep the first commandment. We cannot love God with all our heart and yet keep our money to ourselves when God asks you to use your money in ways that please him.
When God said “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 does not mean that rich people are impossible to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus explained that “with God, everything is possible” Rich people can enter the kingdom if God brings them in . Faith in Christ, not in self or riches is what counts.
Obedience and immediate rewards are not always linked together. As believers, our reward is God’s presence and power through his indwelling Holy Spirit. Later, in eternity, we will be rewarded for our faith and service. If material rewards in this life came to us for every faithful deed, we would be tempted to boast about our achievements and act out with wrong motives.
Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for his sake will be repaid many times over. You will never lose when you give everything to Jesus. He blesses you in this life and in the life to come. m