Matthew 19:1-22

Summary
In today’s reading, Jesus comes up against the Pharisees, who were looking to trap him before the observing crowd, asking if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus rebuffed their negative intentions with the word of God (scriptures) stating that divorce was never the idea of God at the onset of creation and it’s still not. He further explained that the issue of certificate of divorce to one’s spouse advised by Moses was due to their hardened,unforgiving and perverse mind-set which is contrary to God’s nature and this is regarded as adultery if he remarries. To this his disciples offered the solution of no marriage as a way out but Jesus reiterated the almost impossibility of that option as only those without the sexual ability from birth or by choice(eunuchs) could avoid committing sexual sin outside of marriage.
He also taught the disciples that Gods kingdom belongs to little children because of their unwavering believe(faith),meekness and enthusiasm in God’s word which is in sharp contrast to the rich who puts their faith in their wealth and ability.

LIFE APPLICATION
God is not an author of confusion and He would not put us in a state where we would be hapless and overwhelmed. Marriage is Gods idea and so the right perception about marriage can be sought from Him through His word. When we imbibe the truth as revealed in his word concerning the spiritual nature of marriage,we would understand that only death would suffice to end it, so divorce is never an OPTION as most would have wrongly interpreted. Our ability to trust Him all the way even in our marriage opens up other possibilities which makes us far better persons than we were. Having the faith and spirited enthusiasm as little children in His Word also guarantees great reward!

Personal Declaration
I believe Gods word represents the truth concerning His disposition towards me and accept that i He knows best for me especially as it concerns my marriage. I receive grace to live out my marriage according to His revelation in Jesus name.

Reading – Matthew 19:1-22

Divorce

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. ² Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

³ Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

⁴ “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’^{[a] 5} and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’^[b]? ⁶ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

⁷ “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. ¹² For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

The Little Children and Jesus

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

¹⁶ Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

¹⁷ “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

¹⁸ “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, ¹⁹ honor your father and mother,’^[c] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’^[d]”

²⁰ “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

²¹ Jesus answered, “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.”

²² When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 19:4 Gen. 1:27
2. Matthew 19:5 Gen. 2:24
3. Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
4. Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18

All scriptural passages are taken from the NIV version of the bible.