Concerning Divorce
1 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.
3 And Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 He replied, "Have you never read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined inseparably to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Today, some want to have same-sex marriages with the blessing of the church. Reasons for same-sex attraction and desires are complex and serious. Christians should not trivialize the situation or flippantly condemn those who experience same-sex attractions. But God has the prior claim on our identities and life choices. Jesus made God's ideal very plain: At Creation he approved one kind of marriage bond, man to woman (Genesis 1:27; 5:2). These two become one flesh—one before God. (For more on this, see Romans 1:24-27.)
7 The Pharisees said to Him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?" 8 He said to them, "Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.
This law is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. In Moses' day, as well as in Jesus' day, the practice of marriage fell far short of God's intention. The same is true today. Jesus said that Moses gave this divorce law only because of the people's hard hearts—permanent marriage was God's intention. But because sinful human nature made divorce inevitable, Moses instituted some laws to help its victims. The laws protected the identity of each person and guarded the integrity of the family. These were civil laws designed especially to protect the women who, in that culture, were quite vulnerable socially and economically when living alone. Because of Moses' law, a man could no longer just throw his wife out—he had to write a formal letter of dismissal. This was a radical step toward civil rights, for it made men think twice about divorce. 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 (Matthew 19:3-9).
9 I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
10 The disciples said to Jesus, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." 11 But He said to them, "Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been born that way from their mother's womb [making them incapable of consummating a marriage]; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men [for royal service]; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."
John was put in prison and killed at least in part for his public rebuke of Herod's marriage and divorce, so the Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus, too. They were trying to trick Jesus by having him choose sides in a theological controversy. Two schools of thought represented two opposing views of divorce. One group supported divorce for almost any reason. This was the sin the prophet Malachi had preached against (Malachi 2:10-17). The other group believed that divorce could be allowed only for marital unfaithfulness. This conflict hinged on how each group interpreted Deuteronomy 24:1-4. In his answer, however, Jesus focused on the real purpose for marriage rather than the loopholes for divorce. He pointed out that God intended marriage to be permanent and gave strong reasons from Scripture for the importance of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6).
Although divorce was relatively easy in Old Testament times (19:7), it is not what God originally intended. A couple should decide against divorce from the start and build their marriage on mutual commitment. There are also many good reasons for not marrying, one being to have more time to work for God's Kingdom. Don't assume that God wants everyone to be married. For many, being single may be better. Be sure that you prayerfully seek God's will before you make the lifelong commitment of marriage.
A eunuch is an emasculated male—a man with no testicles. Jesus' point here is that some people have physical limitations that prevent their marrying, while others choose not to marry because, in their particular situation, they can serve God better as single people. Jesus was not teaching us to avoid marriage because it is inconvenient or takes away our freedom. That would be selfishness. A good reason to remain single is to use the time and freedom to serve God. Paul elaborates on this in 1 Corinthians 7.
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then children were brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them [for a blessing] and pray; but the disciples reprimanded them. 14 But He said, "Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15 After placing His hands on them [for a blessing], He went on from there.
The disciples must have forgotten what Jesus had said about children (18:4-6). Jesus wanted little children to come to him because he loves them and because they have pure trust in God. All people need childlike faith in God. The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders, who let their pride of position and desire to ruthlessly protect it stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus.
The Rich Young Ruler
16 And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what [essentially] good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom]?" 17 Jesus answered, "Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to Jesus, "Which commandments?" And Jesus answered, "You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself" [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. 20 The young man said to Him, "I have kept all these things [from my youth]; what do I still lack?" 21 Jesus answered him, "If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk]."
When Jesus told this young man that he would "be perfect" if he gave everything he had to the poor, Jesus wasn't speaking in the temporal, human sense. He was explaining how to be justified and made whole or complete in God's sight. It didn't require more good deeds; it required that he replace his life of personal control with a life lived in deep and daily dependence on God.
Should all believers sell everything they own? Jesus did not require this of everyone he met. We are responsible for caring for our own needs and the needs of our families. We should, however, be willing to give up anything if God asks us to do so. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and God and keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly. If you are relieved by the fact that Jesus did not tell all his followers to sell all their possessions, then you may be too attached to what you have.
22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].
In response to the young man's question, Jesus told him to keep God's Ten Commandments. Jesus then listed six of those commandments, all referring to relationships with others. When the young man replied that he had kept the commandments, Jesus told him that he must do something else quite different—sell everything and give the money to the poor. Jesus' statement exposed the man's weakness and his deepest desire. In reality, the man's wealth was his god, his idol, and he would not give it up. Thus, he was violating the first and greatest commandment (Exodus 20:3; Matthew 22:36-40).
We cannot love God with all our hearts and yet keep our money to ourselves. Loving him totally means using our money in ways that please him.
23 Jesus said to His disciples, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth and status] to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were completely astonished and bewildered, saying, "Then who can be saved [from the wrath of God]?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Because it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it appears impossible for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of God. The disciples were astounded. They thought that if anyone could be saved, it would be the rich, whom their culture considered especially blessed by God. How do riches get in the way? Many who become wealthy have relied on their own efforts, drive, and focus. Through skillful enterprise, they have accumulated money and power. To lay these values and drives at Jesus' feet would be very difficult for them. Jesus explained, however, that "with God everything is possible" (19:26). Anyone can enter the Kingdom as God graciously brings them in. When they become followers of Jesus, they will want to share their wealth in God's service. Has faith in yourself or your money become excess baggage that you need to lay aside?
The Disciples' Reward
27 Then Peter answered Him, saying, "Look, we have given up everything and followed You [becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord]; what then will there be for us?" 28 Jesus said to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, in the renewal [that is, the Messianic restoration and regeneration of all things] when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you [who have followed Me, becoming My disciples] will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for his sake will be repaid many times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same form. For example, a person may be rejected by his or her family for accepting Christ, but he or she will gain the larger family of believers.
30 But many who are first [in this world] will be last [in the world to come]; and the last, first.
Jesus turned the world's values upside down. Consider the most powerful or well-known people in our world—how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing, and gentle? Not many! But in the life to come, the last will be first. Don't forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. Be willing to accept human disapproval while knowing that you have God's approval.