DAY #31: January 31, 2009 - Matthew 19:3-22

Today, we see that the Pharisees had quoted Moses’ writings in Deuteronomy regarding divorce; Jesus also quoted from Moses’ writings but he went back to Genesis (Genesis 1:27; 2:24), the beginning, referring to the ideal state of creation and particularly of marriage. In creating male and female, God’s plan was that in marriage the husband and wife are united into one. The wife is not property, but a person created in God’s image. Jesus drew a distinction: God’s creation of marriage and his absolute command that it be a permanent union versus the provisions written hundreds of years later that tolerated divorce because of people’s utter sinfulness. The Pharisees regarded

Deuteronomy 24:1 as a proof text for divorce. But Jesus focused on marriage rather than divorce. The Pharisees regarded divorce as a legal issue rather than a spiritual one; marriage and divorce were merely transactions similar to buying and selling land (with women being treated as property). But Jesus condemned this attitude, clarifying God’s original intention; that marriage bring unity that no one should separate.

The Pharisees asked why Moses allowed divorce. They wondered if Jesus was saying that Moses had written laws contrary to God’s commands. In reality, Moses had instituted divorce laws to help its victims. Under Jewish law, only a husband could initiate and carry out a divorce. The civil laws protected the women, who, in that culture, were quite vulnerable when living alone. Because of Moses’ law, a man could no longer just throw his wife out—he had to write an official letter of divorce so she could remarry and reclaim her dowry. This was a major step toward civil rights for women, for it made a man think twice before sending his wife away. Moses’ words gave protection to the wife and limited abuses of divorce.

In Moses’ time, as well as in Jesus’ day and today, the practice of marriage fell far short of God’s intention. Jesus said that Moses permitted divorce only because of people’s hard-hearted wickedness, referring to a stubborn, willful attitude. Many refused to follow through with their marriages as God had intended, so God allowed divorce as a concession to their sinfulness. Jesus turned the Pharisees’ “test” question back on them by using it as an opportunity to review God’s intended purpose for marriage and to expose their spiteful motives in testing Jesus.

Jesus had clearly explained that divorce dissolves a divinely formed union. Some men were divorcing in order to get remarried. The rabbis’ interpretation of Moses’ law permitted remarriage after divorce, but Jesus explained that marriage after divorce is adultery. However, he gave one exception: unless the wife has been unfaithful. Scholars agree that Jesus’ words refer to both husbands and wives; that is, the unfaithfulness of one could be grounds for divorce by the other.

While the application of Jesus’ words requires interpretation to specific situations, one truth is inescapable: God created marriage to be a sacred, permanent union and partnership between husband and wife. When both husband and wife enter this union with that understanding and commitment, they can provide security for each other, a stable home for their children, and strength to weather any of life’s storms or stresses.

The disciples believed Jesus upheld such an impossible standard that it would be better for people not to marry than to enter into the covenant of marriage. It seemed better not to make the vow than to make the vow and not be able to keep it. The high ideal of marriage was not for everyone, but only those whom God helps. Those given that responsibility are expected to adhere to it. There are some to whom this gift of marriage is not given. A “eunuch” is an emasculated male—a man with no testicles. Some are born as eunuchs, who perhaps had physical limitations that prevented their marrying. Others were made that way by others, such as those servants who, in ancient cultures, were castrated in order to serve the master without sexual distractions. Some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, voluntarily remaining abstinent because, in their particular situation, they could serve God better as single people. Jesus himself would be in this category, as was the apostle Paul.

It was customary for people to bring their children to a rabbi for a blessing. Thus people were bringing children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples thought the children were unworthy of the Master’s time. In the first century, Jewish households were patriarchal—men came first, followed by women and children. The disciples apparently viewed these parents and children as an intrusion and a drain of time and energy. So they told the people not to bother Jesus with their children.

Jesus told his disciples to let the children come because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. The disciples must have forgotten what Jesus had said about children earlier. Anyone of any age who exhibits such faith and trust is promised access to Jesus and to the Kingdom.

We then read that a man ran up to Jesus who wanted to be sure he would receive eternal life. He asked what good things he should do to get it. He viewed eternal life as something that one achieves. At first, Jesus did not address the man’s question but, instead, challenged him to think about God. Goodness is not measured by one’s works; in fact, only God is good. Jesus wanted the man to turn his attention from himself and instead think about God’s absolute goodness. In response to the young man’s question about how to have eternal life, Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and then he listed five of the Ten Commandments (numbers five through nine) and added Leviticus 19:18 (love your neighbor as yourself)—all referring to relationships with others.

The man sincerely believed that he had obeyed all these commandments, yet he felt that something was lacking. The powerful lesson here is that even if a person could keep all these commandments perfectly, which this man claimed to have done, there would still be a lack of assurance of salvation. The answer was that keeping the commandments perfectly could not save anyone—for obedience is not a matter of law keeping, it is a matter of the heart. This was a mind-bending revelation to this young man and to all of Jesus’ listeners.


Jesus’ words, if you want to be perfect, can be translated, “if you want to be mature or full-grown.” The man said he had never once broken any of the laws Jesus mentioned, so he may have felt that he had attained a certain level of perfection. But the law was not the standard of perfection, God was. Jesus lovingly broke through the man’s pride by pointing out that despite his self-proclaimed obedience, he still had a long way to go in understanding what God desired. Jesus told him, “Sell all you have and give the money to the poor.” This challenge exposed the barrier that could keep this man out of the Kingdom: his love of money. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment, one that Jesus did not quote: “Do not worship any other gods besides me” (Exodus 20:3). The young man did not love God with his whole heart as he had presumed. In reality, his many possessions were his god, his idol. If he could not give these up, he would be violating the first commandment.

The task of selling all his possessions would not, of itself, give the man eternal life. But such radical obedience would be the first step for this man to become a follower of Jesus. The man thought he needed to do more; Jesus explained that there was plenty more he could do, but not in order to obtain eternal life. Instead, he needed an attitude adjustment toward his wealth. By putting his treasure in heaven and following Jesus along the road of selflessness and service to others, the man could be assured of his eternal destiny.

This man’s many possessions made his life comfortable and gave him power and prestige. When Jesus told him to sell everything he owned, Jesus was touching the very basis of the man’s security and identity. He could not meet the one requirement that Jesus gave—to turn his whole heart and life over to God. The one assurance he wanted, eternal life, was unattainable because he deemed the price too high. The man came to Jesus wondering what he could do; he left seeing what he was unable to do. How tragic—to be possessed by possessions and miss the opportunity to be with Jesus.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Several things stand out this morning: 1) Lord, help us build a church where marriages flourish. Lord, help us build LIFE groups where folks can be encouraged and built. God, help me carve out time to come alongside the LIFE group leaders and encourage them. Remind each LIFE group leader of the importance of their leadership and lifestyle. Give them a shepherds heart.

2) Lord, build the faith of people @ COV so they will begin to tithe in obedience. You know our needs and how we want to build a great Children's Ministry. Open up the flood gates, even in this economy, so we can hire a Children's Ministry leader. Lord, we have to save the kids of this next generation. We have to build kids character and teach them how to love You and live for You. Lord, work in the hearts of our people. 3) God, speak this Sunday to every heart and draw people into a personal relationship with You. So many people are searching and so many people need answers. Help COV be a lighthouse where folks can find You.

PRAYER

Lord, give couples today a greater love for one another. Help spouses serve each other. Protect marriages from temptation and attacks. Give husbands and wives a desire to do what it takes to build their marriage.