Matthew 19 - Jesus Teaches About Marriage and Divorce
Divorce is not the unpardonable sin, and with God all things are possible. God does not like divorce, but one can divorce and be forgiven. God is a divorcee Himself when He divorced Israel.
1And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan. Jesus' ministry moves from Galilee down to the region of Judea as He heads towards Jerusalem.
2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. They knew He was the real deal as He healed their sick.
3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? The Pharisees (religious community), came to Christ trying to trap Him into saying something that would ruin Him. Do you permit divorce for any reason they asked?
4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, Here is how Jesus will answer them. It's right in the beginning of the bible that God made them male and female, haven't you read it? (Genesis 1:27).
5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? They are joined together and spiritually become one. (Genesis 2:24).
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. No "man" may divorce what God has joined together. However, "with God all things are possible." God does not like divorce, but one can divorce and be forgiven. God is a divorcee himself when He divorced Israel. (Jeremiah 3:7-8). Remember at this time Christ had not been crucified yet; but after His crucifixion, He paid the price for all. The sin of divorce can be forgiven upon repentance. Do not let any man or religious denomination ever tell you that you are living in sin when you are divorced. Then some will tell you that you may never re-marry after divorce. "They are flat out liars."
7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? Why is it written in the law of Moses that a man may divorce? (Deuteronomy 24:1).
8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. Because of your hearts it was allowed, but it was not what God had originally intended.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. In a unbelievers world this would be true. But in a believers world, Christ can forgive all sins including divorce. (1 John 1:9).
10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. It would be better if one could live the Christian life and not be married.
11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. But, all men cannot live the life of celibacy; but only those whom God helps. (If God hasn't called you to be single, its going to be a tough life to live without sinning, or you will be miserable). But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (1 Corinthians 7:9). If you can’t control yourself, it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:2).
12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Some choose this life as eunuchs (emasculated or castrated), and some refuse to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. (There choice to live a celibate life). But, this lifestyle should only be chosen by those whom God helps. "Those given the gift of celibacy." (Matthew 19:11).
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. Christ was tired and the disciples wanted to send the children away not to bother Him.
14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Christ was trying to explain that to enter into Heaven, you must become as a little child. (Matthew 18-2-4). Open minded and free from all the traditions of men, church doctrine, and false teachings that pile up over the years.
15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. He blessed the children before He left.
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? What must I do to have eternal life. This man was thinking of just works; but salvation and eternal life does not come from works, but by faith. (John 3:15, 4:14, 5:39, 6:47, 1 Timothy 6:19, Titus 3:7). However, once we are saved, God wants us to do His good works by spreading the gospel "to the lost souls."
17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. If you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments. (Do your best to follow these commandments of God). Many will tell you that the law was done away with when Christ came; but Christ came to fulfill the law, not destroy it. Yes we are saved by faith, but once saved, it should be easier to follow the commandments of God. "When we mess-up, we still have repentance."
18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, The man asked which commandments should be kept, and Christ answered him.
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The ten commandments are divided into two groups. The first four commandments are regarding mans relationship with God. (Deuteronomy 5:7-15). The last six commandments deal with our relationship with others. (Deuteronomy 5:16-21). This is where Jesus will be quoting and teaching from, "our relationship with others." Note: Jesus does throw a commandment of morality in the mix. "Love thy neighbor as thyself." (Leviticus 19:18). One commandment that summarizes the last six of the ten commandments.
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? The young man said to Christ that he had kept all those laws. How many times have we heard that one from people or preachers. Jesus knows the mans heart, and He is going to confront this man with the last commandment, "you shall not covet," (Deuteronomy 5:21), the commandment that deals with greed. Lets see how this man reacts.
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. If you want to be perfect like you say, go and sell all you have and give it to the poor and build your treasures in heaven. (Jesus knows this mans weak spot).
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. The man was rich with estate possessions. (Probably through coveting other peoples goods). "The tenth commandment." This man could not let the riches go. "It's always about the money."
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is almost impossible for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. (A man that is rich with God's blessings may have no problem, but the money cannot become the top priority in his life, or be from corrupt gains).
24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. During this time there were two gates to the walled cities. The large main gate for during the day, and the small entrance gate called (the needle gate), for the evening when the main gate was closed. A camel would not fit through the needle gate unless it was first unloaded of it's goods. It is the same for one who must unload all their financial gains to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Some will, but many will not. Again, it is all about the money to them. Jesus is just showing how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, but it is still possible.
25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? Who can be saved, the disciples asked?
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. It is impossible for you to save yourself, but with God, all things are possible. That is why God gave His only begotten Son to die and be sacrificed for all the sins of the world.
27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? Peter said to Christ; we left everything to follow you, what do we get out of it?
28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. When I the Messiah, shall sit upon my glorious throne in the Kingdom, you my disciples will sit with me to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. (Revelation 21:12-14).
29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. If you put yourself out for me and put me first over family, friends, money and property, you will inherit eternal life. (You will have a new spiritual family in Christ).
30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. Many who think they are so important here on earth will be the least in the Kingdom of God. (Luke 6:24). "This includes many priests, pastors, and teachers of the word." (Many have received their consolation). But, "the little ones" (those who go unnoticed), who are least important here on earth, will be the greatest in the Kingdom. (Those with humble hearts, struggling in this world, but still follow Christ and keep the works of God).
Keep the faith,
Barton
