Matthew 19

1-12

 Jesus left Galilee and travelled south into the coats of Judea (Judah) by Jordan and people were following Him and He healed them. The Pharisees as usual came and trying to tempt Jesus and to out smart Him. The Pharisees asked a question, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? or for any reason? Jesus answered them by saying, you have read in the beginning that God made them male and female. A man shall leave is father and mother and be joined to his wife and they are to become one flesh. They are not two anymore but one and what God bring together, let no one separate. Here Jesus is quoting Genesis 2:24 when God created Adam and Eve. God does not endorse divorce, because if He brought them together, then they shall never separate. 

 

The Pharisees of course had a follow up question,  they asked, why did Moses command a writing of divorcement to put a woman away? In Matthew 5:28, 31-32, Jesus explains and gives the biblical truth on this matter.

 

"It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:"

 

"But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."

 

Mark 10:11-12 says the same thing without saying fornication.

 

Here we see that Jesus gives only one reason for divorce and that is fornication. The reason for Moses giving this command was because of the hardness of heart (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Jesus also say to the Pharisees "because of the hardness of YOUR heart suffered (Mark 10:5-6) you to put away your wives…" and then He adds, it was not like this in the beginning. When God created marriage is was very good. Marriage and the Sabbath were to the glory of God. These twin institution were for the benefit of humanity. But the marriage and the Sabbath has been perverted by sin. Jesus came to restore this truth in its rightful position.

 

Our hearts are so harden that we are willing to break the seventh commandment to fulfill our own desires. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

 

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

 

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

 

Jesus said if a man put away his wife except for fornication and he marry another is committing adultery and if she gets married she also is doing the same. So what is fornication?  Which is the only reason to get divorce. Jude 1:7 it is going after strange flesh. Romans 1:26-29 being given up to vile affections. Galatians 5:19 fornication is the works of the flesh. Jesus said fornication is committing adultery (19:9). 1 Corinthians 7:2. So the Bible says that every man should have his own wife and every wife should have her own husband Titus 1:6.  Read Genesis 20:3-6; Jeremiah 3:1

 

1 Corinthians 6:15-18, this verse says that committing fornication is sin against his own body.

 

The disciples said to Jesus, if this is how a man will treat his wife, then it is better not to get married. Jesus responded and said, not all men can receive this saying, except for those who is called to being single. Jesus describes three different eunuchs. A eunuch can be a castrated person or an unmarried man. They can also be a person who is celibacy. 

 

Some were born eunuch, meaning can’t have any children

Some were made eunuch, meaning they were castrated. Isaiah 39:7

Some chose to become eunuch for the kingdom of heaven sake, meaning they wanted to be single and live celibacy lives and abstain from marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:7

 

13-14 Right after Jesus finish speaking about eunuchs, children were brought unto Him, but the disciples tried to push them away. Jesus said forbid them not to come unto me. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to them as well. So Jesus laid hands on them and bless them and they departed. It’s interesting that just before Jesus was talking about marriage and divorce and the Bible does say that marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4. 

 

Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour's feet.... He ... still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother's arms may dwell under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mould our little ones, even from their earliest moments. AH 274.3

 

I hope and pray we are not hindering the little children to come to Jesus. Should we let little children get baptize?  Is that keeping them from Jesus?

 

When Children Are Ready for Baptism—Never allow your children to suppose that they are not children of God until they are old enough to be baptized. Baptism does not make children Christians; neither does it convert them; CG 499.2

 

Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a work to do, both in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their children. Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus. There should be no undue haste to receive the ordinance. Let both parents and children count the cost. In consenting to baptism of their children, parents sacredly pledge themselves to be faithful stewards over these children, to guide them in their character building. They pledge themselves to guard with special interest these lambs of the flock, that they may not dishonor the faith they profess.... CG 499.3

 

Before they receive the ordinance, ask them if it is to be their first purpose in life to work for God. Then tell them how to begin. It is the first lessons that mean so much. In simplicity teach them how to do their first service for God. Make the work as easy to be understood as possible. Explain what it means to give up self to the Lord, to do just as His Word directs, under the counsel of Christian parents. CG 500.1

 

Parents’ Duty After Baptism—After faithful labor, if you are satisfied that your children understand the meaning of conversion and baptism and are truly converted, let them be baptized. But, I repeat, first of all prepare yourselves to act as faithful shepherds in guiding their inexperienced feet in the narrow way of obedience. God must work in the parents that they may give to their children a right example in love, courtesy, and Christian humility, and in an entire giving up of self to Christ. If you consent to the baptism of your children and then leave them to do as they choose, feeling no special duty to keep their feet in the straight path, you yourselves are responsible if they lose faith and courage and interest in the truth. CG 500.2

God calls upon you to teach them to prepare to be members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. Co-operate with God by working diligently for their salvation. If they err, do not scold them. Never taunt them with being baptized and yet doing wrong. Remember that they have much to learn in regard to the duties of a child of God. CG 500.3

 

At intermission, all repaired to the water, where seven followed their Lord in baptism. It was a powerful season and of the deepest interest. Two little sisters about eleven years old were baptized. One, Cornelia C., prayed in the water to be kept unspotted from the world. 3SM 261.1

 

16-26 A young man came up to Jesus and ask Him about eternal life. He said what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Right off the bat, it sounds like earning your way into heaven. But Christ  gave a direct answer and said, keep the commandments. Before Adam and Eve sinned, the keeping of the commandments gave eternal life Lev 18:5; Ezek 20:11-12 but once they sinned it no longer can give life, it demands automatic death, because the wages of sin is death. So Jesus was telling him that he must be in harmony with God’s law to enter into eternal life. The young ruler asked which ones? Sounds like a pick and chose buffet or he could be asking about the ceremonial laws. But Jesus makes it clear which commandments He is referring too. 

 

He mentions several commandments for the second tablet of the law and the young man said I have kept these from my youth, but what am I still lacking? Here we see that this young man knew something wasn’t right or else why would he be asking Jesus these questions. The Holy Spirit was leading and convicting him because he knew something was lacking. Jesus got to the heart of the matter and even told the young man if he does this, he will be perfect. Jesus told him what he is lacking and said go and sell what you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come and follow me.

 

The young man was heart broken when he heard it and was not willing to do it, because he had great riches. He was not willing to give it up so that he can have heavenly riches. Which means you can have treasure in heaven (6:20). Part of have treasure in heaven is to take you your cross, deny self, and follow Jesus (Mark 10:21). Here we see two contrasts, Jesus (2 Cor 8:9) and the young man, both have riches and one for our sake became poor and the other was not willing to give up his earthly riches for the heavenly one. If the young man would have done what Jesus said, the young man would have been perfect. Jesus said to him  "if thou will be perfect" or "one thing thou lackest" Jesus got to the root of the issue.

 

His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He showed that riches were his idol. He could not keep the commandments of God while the world was first in his affections. He loved the gifts of God more than he loved the Giver. Christ had offered the young man fellowship with Himself. "Follow Me," He said. But the Saviour was not so much to him as his own name among men or his possessions. To give up his earthly treasure, that was seen, for the heavenly treasure, that was unseen, was too great a risk. He refused the offer of eternal life, and went away, and ever after the world was to receive his worship. Thousands are passing through this ordeal, weighing Christ against the world; and many choose the world. Like the young ruler, they turn from the Saviour, saying in their hearts, I will not have this Man as my leader. DA 520.4

 

It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven because of all the possessions. Jesus associate riches with possessions. Being rich, you can accumulate a lot of possessions. Then Jesus says, "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." I am glad it doesn’t stop there, because Jesus continues and says with men this is not possible, but with God all things are possible. The disciples was amazed because they thought no one who is rich can be saved. But God can save anyone and everyone if they respond and agree with what He says and do it.

 

27-30 Although the rich young man who is a ruler and a member of the honored council of the Jews (DA520.3),  did not forsake all to follow Christ.  Peter said that he and the disciples have forsaken all and followed him. But then Peter said, what do we get? Jesus replied and said you have followed me, when things are in the process of becoming new and I sit in the throne of glory, you shall also sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

 

When does this take place? This takes place during the millennium, after the Second Coming of Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:5, 6:2-3; Revelation 20:12; Psalm 149:4-9 Jesus points him to the heavenly and not the earthly as the rich young ruler and essentially said to Peter and the disciples, you shall sit and judge and inherit everlasting life. Also, those who have forsaken everything for His name sake shall receive hundredfold and eternal life. 

 

Jesus also says, that many that first shall be last and the last be first. What is Jesus saying here? He actually explains it in the next chapter. But the point Jesus is sharing there are people who know the truth but don’t live it and apply it and there are those who have some truth and living to what they know. The ones that know the truth are first and the ones that don’t have the full truth are last. In Luke 13:26-30, it says they are last because they are workers of iniquity, even though they have the truth for this time. An example of this is the rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-25

 

Also, those who are first in this world like the rich young ruler and still claim to be a Christian, will be last. They won’t be first in the resurrection, but will be last in the second death. And those that are last like the Publican in Luke 18:13, that are last in this world, will become first in the resurrection when Christ returns the Second time.