SUMMARY OF MATTHEW CHAPTER 19

We began this chapter with a question to Jesus by the Pharisees about divorce. We found out that there were two opposing Jewish schools of thought on this question. One school taught that a man could divorce his wife for any reason, even if she cooked a bad meal. Today, this is called, “Irreconcilable Differences.” The other school taught that a man could only divorce his wife because of adultery. It became clear which school Jesus felt was the more accurate in interpreting God’s law. While divorce had been, is now, and always will be with us. Jesus made it clear that if a man uses divorce simply as a cover-up for getting a new wife, not only does he commit adultery but causes her to commit adultery if she remarries. Is divorce an unpardonable sin? No. Should it be avoided if possible? Yes. If one does divorce for selfish reasons but confesses it as a sin, is it forgivable? Yes. But, one should resist getting remarried if possible. In the end, God will be the judge based on what He finds in one’s heart. As Jesus said: “Not everyone can accept this word, but only to those to whom it is given…The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Then some little children were brought to Jesus so that He could bless them for the Sabbath. But His disciples thought He had already had enough with the Pharisees, so they tried to stop  them. But Jesus told them to let the children come to Him. In fact, He told his disciples that having the openness and willingness to trust was the same characteristics and virtues God was looking for in His children.

A young man standing in the crowd decided that he wanted to be part of the kingdom of God as well. So he came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do in order to qualify. Since this young man was a Jew, Jesus told him to follow the commandments. The hopeful young man said that he had kept all of them. Jesus said, “Fine. Now all you have to do is go sell everything you have, give the money to the poor, and then come back and be my disciple.” That was not the answer the young gentleman was looking for. So he hung his head as he turned and walked away in disappointment.

That’s when Jesus turned to His disciples and pointed out how difficult it is for those who have much of this world’s goods to give it away so they can follow Him without having any conflict in loving what they already have with loving what He can give. It involves a matter of faith and trust. Apparently this young man did not trust the Lord enough to give up everything to follow Him. That’s why, Jesus said, it is harder getting a rich person through the gate into the kingdom of heaven than it is to get a camel through the small door in the city gate. It’s like threading a needle with a rope.

The disciples were confused. They came to Jesus and reminded Him that they gave up everything they had to follow Him. Does that mean even they may have no hope of getting into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus quietly told them, what is impossible with man is still possible with God. And besides, their place in the kingdom of God was already secured. So they should not become so concerned with their status in the kingdom of heaven. In fact, He told them that there will be some who think they have the most important positions but will find out that some of those who had lesser positions will end up with greater positions when all is said and done.

As we can see, Jesus was talking about attitude, motivation, trust, and desire. God is looking for those whose attitude is: “I’ll do anything for you, Lord.” Those whose motivation is to do everything to the glory and honor of God. Who have complete trust is in their unfailing Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be with them every step of the way because they are yoked together. And those whose desire it to please God first, others second, and themselves last.

On Monday, we will begin studying Chapter 20 where our Lord continues the subject of those who are first will be last and those who are last will be first, by telling a parable that illustrates this concept. I thank God again and again for those of you for who His Word is important and necessary for guidance and understanding. May He richly bless you for your dedication to Him.