Marriage
Mat 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
Mat 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
Mat 19:3 The 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 leaders jealous of Jesus, were trying to get him to stumble and break the law. They tempted him. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, now the devil comes disguised as men of God.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Marriage is a covenant with God. Two shall be one. They were joined in God's blessings.
Mat 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He 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 their evil hearts, to protect the woman from harm, Moses allowed them to give a writing of divorcement. But this was not God's will. A woman in an abusive marriage, is unequally yoked. Although both were Jews, not every Jew is one in the heart, a heart after the LORD. Where is love? The Pharisees were Jewish spiritual leaders, even many of them had evil hearts opposing the Lord. We must know the heart of the one we partner with. Satan is a liar and will say anything to achieve his aims.
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Mat 19:9 And 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.
Not many keep commitments in this age. People divorce and remarry thinking this will solve their problems. No, the vows before God were to love and to cherish, for better or worse, in sickness and in health...
You think you deserve better?
Eccl 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Go forward serving God, don't look back. Love him and serve him, do not be pulled down by the devil. The grace of Jesus has kept the law for you. You are accepted as a child of God in Christ Jesus.
Abstaining
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
From what Jesus said, the only grounds for divorce was fornication or sexual immorality. From the Greek word, porneia. This is the root word for pornography. So it is not only the sexual act of adultery, but it also includes a heart that seeks after sexual impurity, a divided heart that seeks lustfully after other than the marriage partner. Many are addicted to pornography, opening themselves to demons of lust. Remember the words of our Lord earlier concerning the lusts of the eyes.
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
A local health clinic in our small city, admits one child a week that has been sexually abused. A prominent businessman, was found guilty of molesting his thirteen year old stepdaughter, it was kept hidden for many years, having begun at a very young age. He is in prison now. These are as the time of Noah. Will the church join the world in immorality? No, we must be as the Lord.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For 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.
The term eunuch, refers usually to a man who is unable to have sexual relations. This could be from birth, a physical problem, or from surgical alteration, or it can be applied to one who wishes to not be married. This may be for any reason, moral, spiritual, or just remembering unpleasant things of the past. God understands, in fact Paul thought being completely dedicated to God was the best life. Then the whole heart may be given to the Lord's service.
1 Cor 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1 Cor 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
1 Cor 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
Whether married or a single life, the Lord is to be served with a whole heart. Put away unclean thoughts, they are not of God. We are clean through the blood of the Lamb. Let's be different from this evil world. You will shine as the Lord. If your light has dimmed, fan the flame and renew your mind in God's word.
Children
Mat 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
The parents wanted Jesus to bless the little children with prayers. The disciples were thinking this was wrong, taking up the Masters time with little kids. Children are often told to be quiet and to be still.
Jesus had been talking about marriage and the importance to have pure thoughts, and to be innocent, trusting one another. What better example of innocence and trust then a little child? Remember what he said earlier about children?
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Don't keep the children away from Jesus; these innocent and trusting children are as those who shall be in the kingdom of God. Jesus loves them, this we know, for the Bible tells you so. And he laid hands on them and blessed them. God's power may flow through the hands of those he loves, for healing, for comfort and blessings. Even the old people, mostly forgotten, in care places for the old, become as little children. Some will not let go of the hand that reaches out to them. If the need for a caring touch is so great, think how the laying on of hands of our Lord Jesus would bless, with words of kindness and love; the hands that would be pierced for us. Jesus loves the humble hearts of his children and he prays for them.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Rich Man
Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And 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.
Jesus asked him: why call me good? Jesus was good, the Son of God, but Jesus was asking the rich man perhaps to see if the Father revealed to the man who Jesus was. Then Jesus said: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Prov 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Mat 19:18 He 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,
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21 Jesus 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.
Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
He was covetous and trusted more in riches then in the Lord. This gave him a false sense of well being. Who can keep all the law? Only Jesus, but, our faith shall be counted for righteousness. (Rom 4:5)
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Jesus was revealing this man's heart, it was not having faith in the messiah, but in his own well being, trusting in riches.
Salvation is by faith in God's promised savior. Jesus kept all the laws.
Paul gives us more on the subject of riches:
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1 Tim 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1 Tim 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The true riches are eternal, the work and mind of our Lord Jesus Christ, our riches are to be like him.
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
To be like Jesus, begins with faith and obedience to his commandments. Can you see how rich you are in our Lord?
All things are possible
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
If they trust in riches, they do not trust in God. If given a choice, which would the rich man hold onto? That doesn't mean that poverty is God's will for you. There is a principle at work, when we give to God, or one of the least of his people, he will return unto us in greater measure.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Still another promise of God:
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 19:24 And 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.
There was supposedly a gate in Israel called: the eye of the needle. A camel had to get down as low as possible to squeeze through; there was no room for a rider or his belongings. Taken literally, this is a sober warning to not put our trusts in riches and placing God as second in importance.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
It was always thought that financial blessings were a sign of God's favor.
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
This is a wonderful promise, for rich or for the poor. Quit thinking with your natural mind, quit trusting in finances and put God first in all things. He holds tomorrow, He makes all things possible. Our faith is in him.
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
All things are to be done according to God's will. His purposes are higher than ours. Jesus went to the cross, because he chose to obey God in all things. Can we not live for him who has given all things for us? We leave all money behind, but our reward is eternal blessings with our Lord.
First shall be last
Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Peter, having heard the discussion with the rich young ruler, asks what the disciples shall have for following Jesus. They truly left all, their nets and boats; Matthew his high salary tax collector job. I don't think that Peter yet understood what was to come. His master would be crucified and rise from the grave. The kingdom is not of this life, but of God as spiritual men and women, in glorified bodies, living eternally as sons of God.
Mat 19:28 And 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.
They indeed would be rewarded, they will sit as rulers over the twelve tribes of Israel, in the millennial kingdom on earth. All but Judas who would be replaced. Regeneration is not reincarnation. The false religion of reincarnation seeks to put man in control being reborn many times until perfected. It leaves God out of their lives, saying that evil in this life is the "karma" or reaping of what was sown in a previous life. New age Christians use several Bible verses to try to prove they are correct. it is a false hope from the devil with man at the center. They ignor what the Bible teaches concerning the judgement:
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Mat 19:29 And 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.
You cannot out give God. I think the problem with many Christians is they do things the world's way and expect blessings. When they give all to Jesus, a hundred times more will be received in spiritual blessings.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
This is an interesting sentence placed at the end. They were all striving for prominence. With God the humble servant is greater then all. The prominent servants in a church may not receive as much as they think. Big name Christians may be esteemed less in the kingdom of God, then a little known person of faith. Certainly those who sow strife in a church and demand their own way, will not even be in the kingdom.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
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