Tag: Matthew 19
What’s in it for me?
Scripture reading for January 27: Matthew 19
“Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Matthew 19:27-30
The rich young ruler had just left with sadness when Jesus had advised him to sell all he had and follow Him. The disciples had listened and observed his sad departure. They began to examine their own sacrifice to follow Jesus. Was it going to be worth it? What would they really have when all was said and done?
As we go through life as believers and followers of Jesus, we all have a tendency to ask the same question as Jesus’ disciples: “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” The world mocks our decision. Many in our world seem to be enjoying riches, fame, and pleasure who have not given up anything to follow Jesus. But looks can be deceptive. Jesus promised an amazing reward for those who by faith would leave behind the riches of this world and even have broken family ties because of allegiance to Him. There would be a great reversal. Those now considered ‘first’ would then be ‘last’, and those now considered ‘last’ or ‘losers’ would be first!
What impact on your world view does this simple teaching of Jesus have on how you are viewing life in our culture? What is the focus of your life at present? Who, in your view, is now considered ‘first’ in our land? Is there anything that you need to change in your own life and priorities?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that You have revealed to me that the pursuit of riches is not the way to life eternal. As I grow older and approach life on earth’s end, use me to share Your promises of eternal life and eternal rewards with those who are caught up in trying to be ‘first’. You, Alone, are my reward! Amen.
Great reward for following Jesus!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Matthew 19
Key scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 19:27-29 “Peter answered Him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children of fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.””
Jesus had just asked a rich young ruler to give away his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The young man felt that the cost was too high and sadly went away from Jesus. This caused the disciples to question Jesus about their own salvation and the reward that they might get from following Him. Jesus gave them a powerful promise that staggered their minds and stretches our imagination about our own reward! Jesus told them that they would be judges on thrones in the time of renewal when He returned to rule on His Father’s throne. They would also receive back a hundred times more than they left to follow Him plus get “eternal life”! If you left a farm of 100 acres, then you would get back another of ten thousand acres! If you gave up one home, you would have a hundred houses!
Observation for over-comers: As over-comers, we will be staggered by the extent of reward involved in the simple act of following Jesus! Whatever you have to give up, it will be worth it! You can’t out-give God! “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:24-25)
Covenant Marriage!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Matthew 19
“Some Pharisees came to Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Matthew 19:3) Divorce was easy in the time of Jesus. If a Jewish man found disfavor with his wife for almost any reason, he could write her a certificate of divorce and send her away. The religious leaders went to test Jesus to see if He agreed with them.
“Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6) Jesus pointed these preachers back to God’s original design. They were made ‘male and female’. There was purpose in the physical design to enable them to come together in a unique and pleasurable way. Marriage was to be between a man and a woman made one flesh for life and procreation!
Jesus went on to say that Moses only permitted divorce because of hard hearts. God’s plan was for marriage to be for life. Jesus stated that the only exception to staying married was adultery. If a person divorced for any reason other than adultery and married another person, they were committing adultery. (Matthew 19:9)
Many in our culture and the church today have divorced their mates for many reasons and married others. There is a great need to repent of the sin of adultery and covenant breaking. This sin affects the children in cruel ways that opens the door for offense and separation from God. Covenant marriage is the foundation of the church.
God’s design for marriage!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Matthew 19, Psalm 18:30-42, Proverbs 5:1-6
Marriage is an institution that God created with a purpose. A marriage between a man and a woman was to provide companionship for both the man and woman throughout their lives. God determined that it was not good for Adam to be alone and that he needed a suitable helpmate. (Genesis 2:18-25) Marriage was also for procreation and the raising of godly children who would know and serve God. (Malachi 2:15-16) God knew that this could best be done by a man and a woman in a covenant relationship. Their love for each other and God would provide an environment that the children could learn about His love for them.
But sin entered the world through the first couple, Adam and Eve. They decided that they could do life by being like God themselves and disobeying His one command to them. This brought death to their relationship with God and strife to their own relationship. Work had sweat and toil and childbirth had pain. There was tension between them because they both wanted to be in control and God had set an order in the home. The man was to be a priest and protector but sin marred his ability to do that right. The result was broken families, multiple marriages, fighting and bickering and children who were not raised to fear God! God’s heart was broken for the children that should be His and take His glory to the world!
Jesus was asked a question to trap Him concerning divorce! “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that God made them male and female,” and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:3-6)
Jesus Christ strongly advocated marriage between a man and woman (not two men or two women!) as God’s plan. God joined them together and man should not separate what He has joined. Jesus went on to teach that Moses allowed divorce because of hard hearts, not God’s design. The only exception where divorce was allowed was adultery. If we desire God’s blessing, we must pay attention to God’s design!
God’s design for marriage!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Matthew 19, Psalm 18:30-42, Proverbs 5:1-6
Marriage is an institution that God created Himself with a purpose. A marriage between a man and a woman was to provide companionship for both the man and woman throughout their lives. God determined that it was not good for Adam to be alone and that he needed a suitable helpmate. (Genesis 2:18-25) Marriage was also for procreation and the raising of godly children who would know and serve God. (Malachi 2:15-16) God knew that this could best be done by a man and a woman in a covenant relationship. Their love for each other and God would provide an environment that the children could learn about His love for them.
But sin entered the world through the first couple, Adam and Eve. They decided that they could do life by being like God themselves and disobeying His one command to them. This brought death to their relationship with God and strife to their own relationship. Work had sweat and toil and childbirth had pain. There was tension between them because they both wanted to be in control and God had set an order in the home. The man was to be a priest and protector but sin marred his ability to do that right. The result was broken families, multiple marriages, fighting and bickering and children who were not raised to fear God! God’s heart was broken for the children that should be His and take His glory to the world!
Jesus was asked a question to trap Him concerning divorce! “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that God made them male and female,” and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:3-6)
God’s design was clearly stated by Jesus Christ. He strongly advocated marriage, between a man and woman (not two men or two women!) God joins them together and man should not separate what He has joined. Jesus went on to teach that Moses allowed divorce because of hard hearts, not God’s design. The only exception given where divorce was allowed was adultery. Let’s pay attention to God’s design!