Matthew 19:1-30
19:1 Directly after delivering wisdom to His disciples, Jesus moves along in teaching His ministry to the world. He's always working for your benefit without delay.
19:2 The messages that Jesus is teaching continue to garner the attention of many people; but along with their attention, Jesus gains their trust and their belief and for that reason, He is allowed to help and heal them. God wants and loves to help people who ask for Him to come into their lives -- that is the key, you have to give Him permission to enter.
19:3 The Pharisees are back with their agenda of distracting Jesus. It's important to denote the difference between the questions the disciples ask and the questions the Pharisees ask. When the disciples ask a question, their genuine curiosity is the intention behind their questioning. They want to understand the world and their place in it; they seek wisdom. When Jesus' adversaries ask questions, their intentions are to test Him, to try to get Him to say or do something wrong.
Their question is: Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?
Whenever you are asked a question or faced with a question, always use your common sense to judge and discern an answer.
19:4 Jesus frequently reminds the Pharisees that many of the questions they ask have already been answered in the book (the Bible) they claim to know, exemplify and study. Therefore, in asking questions they already know the answers to, they hope Jesus will say something wrong. But Jesus is of God and God never fails.
19:5-6 God wants us to be compassionate. When we unite with another, His hope is that we do it with our purest, most unbreakable compassion. He wishes that when we pledge ourselves to another, just as when we pledge ourselves to Him, we do it wholeheartedly. To Him, we should not separate that which we have bound. He wants this because the breaking of a bond is difficult and painful for those involved. When we bind ourselves to something, someone, or some idea we should do it with the full intention of defending it, sustaining and preserving it against doubts and troubles.
19:7 This verse refers to Deuteronomy 24 in the Old Testament.
19:8 Jesus explains that although God wishes for us to wholeheartedly maintain unions when we make them, humans are not always so kind as to do so. God recognizes that some, many , humans do not wish to prolong unions of which they no longer want to be apart. Therefore God forgives us for breaking His heart when we break the unions of His children; but He truly wishes we worked and stayed together.
19:9 The message here is that when we chose to divorce another (due to no fault of their own), we have made the statement that we are not willing unite ourselves with another. By disregarding our previous spouse (again, a faultless one) and marrying a new one, we show disregard for the new union. Another thing to keep in mind is that when this was written, women were socially dependent on men -- divorcing a woman was a quick way to ruin her life and to make it especially difficult.
I remind you to use common sense regarding all issues because each individual and each union of individuals is particular to them. The message to extract from these verses is that God wants us to do our very best to support and sustain each other. Marriage can be a wonderful experience but it's also a responsibility to another. God wants us to take our responsibilities seriously and if we can help it, to not give up on or abandon our responsibilities.
19:10 The disciples point out that if a man (or woman) knows before entering a marriage that they will not completely commit themselves to the other... it's better for them not to enter that union.
19:11-12 Jesus responds to the former comment which suggests that a man/woman could remain celibate. True, a person could dedicate all of their energy to God and it would be appreciated but it is not necessary. God loves His children and if a union between two people can also bring along more of His loved ones, He's quite happy.
19:13-15 Never disregard anyone. God and Jesus exist to accept all people and you should too on their behalf. There are many diversities which the people of the Earth love to dwell on but God shows no partiality. Anyone who runs to Him is welcomed.
19:16 This idea of eternal life is appealing to people who previously were afraid of death, they want to know how to secure it.
19:17 Jesus shows His humility. Compared to God, nothing shines as bright. Jesus even humbles himself before God because he is faultless in loving His children. We cannot say the same for ourselves, as a species, we unfairly judge and neglect each other quite often.
Jesus keeps it simply for the inquirer, follow God's commandments. Why? Follow the commandments because God set them up for you to have a better life, not because He loves creating rules or exerting power over you.
19:18-19 A few of the commandments are listed as examples for the man. These are made to ensure that our lives are safe, happy and fair.
19:20 This man wants to do more for God. He follows the commandments. When you get a taste of the love God has for you, you also will be overwhelmed with the want to do so much more for Him than you feel capable of. However, as we will find out, this man values something above God...
19:21 Jesus explains to the man that the more of yourself you give away to others, the more beloved you are to God. Put nothing above protecting and nurturing others and your love of Him. Jesus says, if you desire, dedicate your entire life to teaching and helping others in the word of God.
19:22 This man would not give up his possessions for anyone or thing, including God. Be careful that this isn't you -- this man placed his trust and value in material possessions and that is a lonely choice to make. You harm yourself when you give your life to things which do not care about you. Greed corrupts our souls if we let it. God should be your possession because He loves you, never leaves you and protects you.
19:23 It's hard for a rich man to entire heaven... why? Because to be rich means that you have a surplus, and to live with a surplus in a world where so many do not even have the basic provisions of food and shelter is to disregard suffering. To have unused stores of money in banks while children and families die of starvation and danger is heartbreaking to God. The places in His house belong to those who did not have homes on earth and to those who shared their homes on earth.
19:24 Jesus reiterates, for emphasis, that it is so difficult for a person with enormous unused wealth to enter God's house. You cannot take any of your possessions with you... only your love of others.
19:25 The disciples, much like you might be (and I am) are wondering how anyone can be saved -- this is because on earth, most of us desire to be wealthy and we hold on to our possessions while placing great value in them.
19:26 Jesus reminds us that God has a way of helping us to be better. If it were up to us, it is likely we would fail. But God creates a world where our choices every day define the true nature of our hearts. He allows us to have friends and family and to create relationships which teach us where to place our value instead of in wealth and greed.
19:27 Peter wonders what his dedication and service to God will mean for him when his life on earth is over:
19:28 The disciples have given their lives to teaching the world of God and Jesus reminds them that their service is counted and rewarded by God -- because they do it from their hearts and not for the reward. Jesus invites and welcomes them to sit with Him in the "regeneration"... the restart of
life, eternal and perfect in nature. Here the 12 tribes are mentioned -- these tribes comprise a great many people, the people of the world.
19:29 Here Jesus is making a bold, brilliant statement. Choose God in every decision you make in life. If, in the service of God, you have to travel or become busy or have to contend with others to defend your faith, God sees you, is with you, and loves you for it. You reach into Heaven when you reach out to others.
19:30 Jesus reminds us that God loves the humble; He loves the people who put compassion for humanity above wealth, fame and power.
19:2 The messages that Jesus is teaching continue to garner the attention of many people; but along with their attention, Jesus gains their trust and their belief and for that reason, He is allowed to help and heal them. God wants and loves to help people who ask for Him to come into their lives -- that is the key, you have to give Him permission to enter.
19:3 The Pharisees are back with their agenda of distracting Jesus. It's important to denote the difference between the questions the disciples ask and the questions the Pharisees ask. When the disciples ask a question, their genuine curiosity is the intention behind their questioning. They want to understand the world and their place in it; they seek wisdom. When Jesus' adversaries ask questions, their intentions are to test Him, to try to get Him to say or do something wrong.
Their question is: Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?
Whenever you are asked a question or faced with a question, always use your common sense to judge and discern an answer.
19:4 Jesus frequently reminds the Pharisees that many of the questions they ask have already been answered in the book (the Bible) they claim to know, exemplify and study. Therefore, in asking questions they already know the answers to, they hope Jesus will say something wrong. But Jesus is of God and God never fails.
19:5-6 God wants us to be compassionate. When we unite with another, His hope is that we do it with our purest, most unbreakable compassion. He wishes that when we pledge ourselves to another, just as when we pledge ourselves to Him, we do it wholeheartedly. To Him, we should not separate that which we have bound. He wants this because the breaking of a bond is difficult and painful for those involved. When we bind ourselves to something, someone, or some idea we should do it with the full intention of defending it, sustaining and preserving it against doubts and troubles.
19:7 This verse refers to Deuteronomy 24 in the Old Testament.
19:8 Jesus explains that although God wishes for us to wholeheartedly maintain unions when we make them, humans are not always so kind as to do so. God recognizes that some, many , humans do not wish to prolong unions of which they no longer want to be apart. Therefore God forgives us for breaking His heart when we break the unions of His children; but He truly wishes we worked and stayed together.
19:9 The message here is that when we chose to divorce another (due to no fault of their own), we have made the statement that we are not willing unite ourselves with another. By disregarding our previous spouse (again, a faultless one) and marrying a new one, we show disregard for the new union. Another thing to keep in mind is that when this was written, women were socially dependent on men -- divorcing a woman was a quick way to ruin her life and to make it especially difficult.
I remind you to use common sense regarding all issues because each individual and each union of individuals is particular to them. The message to extract from these verses is that God wants us to do our very best to support and sustain each other. Marriage can be a wonderful experience but it's also a responsibility to another. God wants us to take our responsibilities seriously and if we can help it, to not give up on or abandon our responsibilities.
19:10 The disciples point out that if a man (or woman) knows before entering a marriage that they will not completely commit themselves to the other... it's better for them not to enter that union.
19:11-12 Jesus responds to the former comment which suggests that a man/woman could remain celibate. True, a person could dedicate all of their energy to God and it would be appreciated but it is not necessary. God loves His children and if a union between two people can also bring along more of His loved ones, He's quite happy.
19:13-15 Never disregard anyone. God and Jesus exist to accept all people and you should too on their behalf. There are many diversities which the people of the Earth love to dwell on but God shows no partiality. Anyone who runs to Him is welcomed.
19:16 This idea of eternal life is appealing to people who previously were afraid of death, they want to know how to secure it.
19:17 Jesus shows His humility. Compared to God, nothing shines as bright. Jesus even humbles himself before God because he is faultless in loving His children. We cannot say the same for ourselves, as a species, we unfairly judge and neglect each other quite often.
Jesus keeps it simply for the inquirer, follow God's commandments. Why? Follow the commandments because God set them up for you to have a better life, not because He loves creating rules or exerting power over you.
19:18-19 A few of the commandments are listed as examples for the man. These are made to ensure that our lives are safe, happy and fair.
19:20 This man wants to do more for God. He follows the commandments. When you get a taste of the love God has for you, you also will be overwhelmed with the want to do so much more for Him than you feel capable of. However, as we will find out, this man values something above God...
19:21 Jesus explains to the man that the more of yourself you give away to others, the more beloved you are to God. Put nothing above protecting and nurturing others and your love of Him. Jesus says, if you desire, dedicate your entire life to teaching and helping others in the word of God.
19:22 This man would not give up his possessions for anyone or thing, including God. Be careful that this isn't you -- this man placed his trust and value in material possessions and that is a lonely choice to make. You harm yourself when you give your life to things which do not care about you. Greed corrupts our souls if we let it. God should be your possession because He loves you, never leaves you and protects you.
19:23 It's hard for a rich man to entire heaven... why? Because to be rich means that you have a surplus, and to live with a surplus in a world where so many do not even have the basic provisions of food and shelter is to disregard suffering. To have unused stores of money in banks while children and families die of starvation and danger is heartbreaking to God. The places in His house belong to those who did not have homes on earth and to those who shared their homes on earth.
19:24 Jesus reiterates, for emphasis, that it is so difficult for a person with enormous unused wealth to enter God's house. You cannot take any of your possessions with you... only your love of others.
19:25 The disciples, much like you might be (and I am) are wondering how anyone can be saved -- this is because on earth, most of us desire to be wealthy and we hold on to our possessions while placing great value in them.
19:26 Jesus reminds us that God has a way of helping us to be better. If it were up to us, it is likely we would fail. But God creates a world where our choices every day define the true nature of our hearts. He allows us to have friends and family and to create relationships which teach us where to place our value instead of in wealth and greed.
19:27 Peter wonders what his dedication and service to God will mean for him when his life on earth is over:
19:28 The disciples have given their lives to teaching the world of God and Jesus reminds them that their service is counted and rewarded by God -- because they do it from their hearts and not for the reward. Jesus invites and welcomes them to sit with Him in the "regeneration"... the restart of
life, eternal and perfect in nature. Here the 12 tribes are mentioned -- these tribes comprise a great many people, the people of the world.
19:29 Here Jesus is making a bold, brilliant statement. Choose God in every decision you make in life. If, in the service of God, you have to travel or become busy or have to contend with others to defend your faith, God sees you, is with you, and loves you for it. You reach into Heaven when you reach out to others.
19:30 Jesus reminds us that God loves the humble; He loves the people who put compassion for humanity above wealth, fame and power.
