Being With God – Matthew 19

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.” Matthew 19:1-2

The distance from the Sea of Galilee to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan (Perea, near Jericho) is about 80-90 miles. This journey took 3 to 4 days if one walked 20-25 miles per day.

In the previous chapter, Jesus spoke of not offending little ones. He urged His disciples to forgive offenders. As Jesus made His way to area beyond the Jordan River, the number of people following Him grew into a large crowd. He healed the sick among them.

“The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’ And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.’ They said to Him, ‘Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?’ He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted 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; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” Matthew 19:3-9

While Jesus focused on teaching and healing, the religious leaders focused on testing. Their greatest concern was expressed in a question about freedom to divorce for any reason. Jesus made three strong statements to urge married couples to stay together. First, “what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Secondly, divorce flows from hard of hearts. Thirdly, divorce and remarriage, except for reason of infidelity, is adultery.

“Jesus interpreted the meaning of the word uncleanness in the Mosaic Law, showing that it refers to sexual immorality, not just anything that might displease the husband. Therefore, divorce – and the freedom to remarry without sin – is only permitted in the case of sexual immorality.” [1]

1 Corinthians 7:15 adds abandonment by an unbelieving spouse as a cause for divorce. This can include those who make a verbal profession of faith, but who live in chronic unrepentance and their actions significantly undermine the marital union.

If the Pharisees had heard what Jesus said in Matthew 18 about not offending a little one, and about forgiving offense, they would have learned keys to preserving relationships. The Lord helps us to realize our own short-comings in relationships, not to place unrealistic expectations on our spouses, and to forgive one another when we sin.

“His disciples said to Him, ‘If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But He said to them, ‘All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: for there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.’” Matthew 19:10-12

Jesus responded to His disciples’ pivot from marriage to celibacy. He spoke of three kinds of eunuchs. Those born without the capacity for marriage. Those who are incapacitated from marriage by others. Those who choose to live celibately for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.

In 1 Corinthians 7:34, Paul said that the one who is unmarried because of his or her calling should be holy both in body and in spirit. Therefore, eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake should live in peace with their celibacy.

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” Matthew 19:13-15

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Matthew 19:13, the disciples rebuked people from bringing children to Jesus as though children’s ministry was not worth His time or attention, or perhaps thinking they were too young to be taught about God. Jesus wanted little children to come to Him.

China’s government currently violates the right of children (anyone under age of 18) from being taught about Jesus. “Since 2018, stricter regulations ban Sunday schools, youth religious groups, and Bible studies for minors. Schools promote atheism, and authorities enforce these rules by monitoring churches. Churches often have signs that say, ‘No minors.’ Both state-sanctioned and ‘underground’ house churches face restrictions on conducting youth ministry, with risks of raids for non-compliance. While some parents might privately teach their children at home, any organized or public teaching of the Bible to minors is prohibited by authorities.” [2]

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.” He laid His hands on them to likely pray for and/or bless them.

“Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ 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 your mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:16-22

The role of the Law is to convict us of our sinful nature. We all fall short of the glory of God and need God’s forgiveness. The role of the Gospel is to give us the good news that Jesus Christ kept the Law perfectly on our behalf. When we believe in Jesus, God places the merits of His Son Jesus Christ into our account.

C.F.W. Walther wrote, “The Law tells us what we are to do. The Gospel reveals to us what God is doing. The Law speaks of our works. The Gospel speaks of the great works of God. The Law gives people a sense of right and wrong. The Gospel is an invitation to partake of heavenly blessings. The Law is to be preached to sinners who feel secure to keep sinning. The Gospel is be preached to sinners who feel alarmed about their sins. The Law contains threats for sinners. The Gospel contains no threats at all, but only words of consolation. The Law produces thirst; it leads the hearer to hell and slays him. The Gospel refreshes the hearer and leads him to heaven. In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, ‘Thou shalt.’ The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish: not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. The Gospel plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” [3]

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:23-26

The Gospel is “with God all things are possible.”

“Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore, what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’” Matthew 19:27-30

My sister in the Lord, Anne Hepburn has often been heard to say, “God is no man’s debtor.” Another missionary, Jean Cameron, once said to me, “You cannot outgive God.” The Lord gives to us more everyday of our life than we can earn or deserve, and yet, He promised to us who leave houses, beloved family members, and property behind that we shall receive a hundredfold and eternal life. Jesus promised thrones to us who follow Him. I will just be so happy to be with Him in eternity forevermore. Being with God is the greatest blessing of all.


[1] Enduring Word Commentary
[2] Google Sources
[3] “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel,” by C. F. W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House, 1929