[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 19
Bible Verses:
“‘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 flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:5-6)
“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 sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:8-9)
“Jesus said, “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 treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)
“ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)
“ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
“ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife 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.” (Matthew 19:29-30)
DIVORCE (vs. 1-12)
God’s original plan was one man and one woman together for all of life. For the purpose of marriage are to continue the race (Gen. 1:28), for companionship and enjoyment (Gen. 2:18), to avoid fornication (1 Cor. 7:1-6) and to show relationship between Christ and His church (Eph. 5:22-23). Marriage is a sacred union for God joins a man and woman together and the man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.
God permitted divorce in Mosaic Law because their hearts were hardened. The Mosaic Law was only temporary and was allowed on the ground of immorality.
Jesus stated two physical cases that can break the marriage union: death and fornication. Fornication includes sexual sins in general.
The Bible does not exalt celibacy but it does recognize that not everybody has to marry. It is not the will for all His servants to remain single. A person must find God’s will for his life and marry “in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39)
THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND JESUS (vs. 13-15)
Jesus loves the little children. Parents have the responsibility to lead their children to know and love Christ.
THE RICH YOUNG MAN (vs. 16-30)
A rich young man approached Jesus and asked: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus cited the 10 commandments and he said: “All of them I have kept. What do I lack?”. Jesus replied: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, 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. His wealth was his god.
Jesus said that the rich have a hard time to be saved because they trust in their riches.
Peter pointed out his own self-sacrifice and told Jesus: “We have left everything to follow you. What then will there be for us?” (v. 27). Jesus answered His disciples that they will get their rewards in His kingdom sitting on His glorious thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. However, he cautioned them not to make themselves first because the first shall be the last.
REFLECTION:
- Are you faithful to your spouse?
- Do you guide your children and lead them to accept Jesus as their Savior?
- How is your devotion to Christ compared to your devotion to wealth?
- Peter grew from “How much will I get” to serving Him without silver or gold (Acts 3:6). How about you? Do you serve Christ because of the promised reward?
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