Wisdom From Above
– Matthew Nineteen –
In Matthew nineteen we have
record of the Pharisees asking Jesus about divorce and remarriage. Jesus said
that the only reason a man could divorce his wife marry another was because of
her adultery. He also said that if a man divorces his wife because of her
adultery and another man marries her that man is in like manner committing
adultery. Jesus again showed his compassion on children by saying, "Suffer
little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the
kingdom of heaven." He showed that it is difficult for the rich to go to
heaven. He said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Life is full of problems. Only
wisdom from above can provide answers to questions about (1) divorce and
remarriage, (2) celibacy, (3) how important are children? (4) what about our wealth?, and (5) who can be saved? Matthew
chapter nineteen allows us to look into the mind of God for wisdom from the
Master on some very difficult subjects.
Wisdom from
above concerning divorce – Matthew 19:1-12: The Pharisees tested Jesus with the question,
"Is it lawful and right to dismiss and divorce
one's wife for any
and every cause?"
They intended to use against Jesus whatever His answer was.
In answer Jesus challenged their knowledge of Old Testament events by
taking them back to the beginning when God "made them male and
female." He spoke of the permanence of the
marriage covenant. God's plan was simple; one man joined inseparably to
his wife for life. Moses had allowed divorce and remarriage for many reasons
because of the stubbornness of the people's heart. Adultery or unchasity is the only exception given by the
Master, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual
immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and
whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9)
If the divorce occurred for some reason
other than adultery the one that marries this divorced woman commits adultery.
After hearing the Master teach about divorce the disciples
thought it might not be advisable for man to marry. They thought celibacy might
be preferred to marriage. Jesus named three groups who could practice celibacy:
(1) those that were born eunuchs, (2) those made eunuchs by men, and (3) those
that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom's sake. Celibacy is a command only
for those able to accept it. (Matthew 19:12)
Wisdom from above concerning children – Matthew 19:13-15:
It was only natural that
the Lord would move from the topic of marriage to discuss children. Wise parent
will always desire the blessings of the Lord upon their children. These parents
"brought unto him little children, that he
should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them." They thought that it was beneath the dignity of
Jesus to be "bothered" with children. Jesus told them to leave
the children alone.
Jesus told the
apostles to leave the children alone. Today I
would like to say to the abortionist "leave the children alone." Do
not murder these innocent children. The drug pusher, tobacco industry, sexual
perverts and atheist need to hear the same message -- "leave the children
alone." They are too precious to be destroyed by your evil works! Jesus
told the disciples the kingdom of heaven is composed of those who are like
little children. (Mt 19:14)
Wisdom from
above concerning our attitude toward wealth – Matthew 19:16-22: The rich young ruler came running to Jesus. He knelt down in the presence of the Lord manifesting his
humility. He asked the most important and interesting question that any person
can ever ask of God. His question was, "What good deed must I do to
possess eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16) He was interested in having eternal
life.
Jesus told him, "...you
must continually keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17) The young man
said he had been obedient from youth. But, he asked, "What still do I
lack?" (Matthew 19:20) Jesus told him that to have spiritual maturity he
must, "...go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will
have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Matthew 19:22) He would
not obey. He would have had far more than he was asked to give up if he had
only been willing to surrender to the Lord. The church in the twentieth-first
century has been drastically affected by the same problem, materialism. Many
sell their souls for a few perishing things!
The rich young ruler wanted
to go to heaven, but he wanted to go on his own terms! We see
the same thing with denominations today. They have their own teachings. They
say, "Just pray the sinner's prayer, and you will go to heaven!" They
have their instruments of music in their worship services, sometimes even a
full band. They want salvation, but they want it on their own terms. It seems
as if many want to go to heaven but few are willing to live in simple, humble
obedience to what the Word of God teaches.
Wisdom from
above concerning who can be saved – Matthew 19:23-30: It is difficult for those who have wealth to get into
the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23) When the disciples heard Jesus say that 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 heaven they asked,
"Who then can be saved?" (Matthew 19:24)
The rich man that Jesus spoke
of was a person that loved his riches, and made an idol of them. His desire was
to gain more and more. "Who then can be saved?" Jesus told the
disciples that those that had left all and become His disciple would be blessed
in this life. They would receive one hundred percent on whatever they had given
up. However, even more than this they would receive eternal life. (Matthew
19:29) We can have faith in this promise and trust Christ for its performance!
The only power that can cause a
man to cease trusting in his money is the power of God. The problem is never
that a person has possessions but rather, that the possessions have him. Any
wealth that we possess must be used to serve God and glorify Him in His
kingdom. The apostles had given up material things for Christ. Peter wondered
what they would have as a result of this sacrifice. What they gave up may have
been looked upon by many as "small" but by forsaking these things
they showed their sincerity. Jesus told the apostles that they would sit upon
"twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Wisdom from above says that
sinners should come to Christ and live for Him. Purify your heart by faith
(John