Marriage, Kids, And Money

January 30th, 2023

Marriage, Kids, And Money

“Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Matthew 19

What About Divorce?

As Jesus journeyed east of the Jordan River towards Judea, crowds followed behind him, seeking healing and relief. The Pharisees then approached Jesus to question and test him on the matter of divorce. He responded by referring back to the creation story to emphasize the permanency of the institution. Undeterred, the Pharisees questioned why Moses had commanded a certificate of divorcement, to which Jesus replied that it was only a concession because of their hearts' hardness. He warned that any divorces that weren't based on sexual immorality were considered adulterous by both parties.

This context and these questions provided the place for him to clarify or redefine marriage, polygamy, Levirate marriage, same-sex marriage, etc. Instead, he pointed back to the creation account. Jesus was not afraid of controversy and reaffirmed God's marriage design. The disciples are taken aback by Jesus' teaching on divorce, suggesting that it might be better not to wed at all. In response, Jesus uses the analogy of eunuchs, explaining some are born a eunuch, some are made eunuchs by others, and some willingly become eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom.

Jesus Loves Children

When the parents brought their children to Jesus to be blessed and prayed over, the disciples attempted to rebuke them and try to stop them because they see them as a disruption. However, Jesus quickly corrected their misstep and reminded them that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those with a childlike faith.

Wealthy And Wanting

The rich young man came to Jesus eager to understand what was required to inherit eternal life, thinking he was already doing all that was necessary. But Jesus' response astounded him; He told him to give away all his possessions and follow Him. The man went away sorrowful, for he was enslaved to his many possessions. Jesus was not prescribing that one must give away everything to enter the kingdom, but was instead exposing the man's heart. He was morally good, but still followed his possessions instead of God. This incident serves to show that it is difficult for a rich person to enter God's kingdom, but not impossible. Peter immediately speaks up, saying they had left everything behind to follow Jesus. Jesus affirms that it is no loss, for the reward of following Him is priceless; we receive Him.