Matthew 19

1 – 6

After Jesus said all these things, he left Galilee. He went into the area of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. Large crowds followed Jesus, and he healed them there.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?”

Jesus answered, “Surely you have read in the Scriptures: When God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’

And God said, ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife. And the two people will become one body.’ So the two are not two, but one. God joined the two people together. No person should separate them.”

If you have something that is made of one piece and you break it in half, you destroy both parts.

7 – 9

The Pharisees asked, “Why then did Moses give a command for a man to divorce his wife by giving her divorce papers?”
Jesus answered, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching.

But divorce was not allowed in the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery. The only reason for a man to divorce and marry again is if his first wife has been unfaithful to him.”

God hates divorce and there is nothing good about it. Bible teachers do not agree about divorce but nobody can say that the things it does to children and the idea of living in adultery is good.

All sin can be forgiven except the sin of turning away from Jesus. The Jews see a couple who are engaged to be married as if they were already married. Jesus said that the only way this could be broken was if one of them was unfaithful during the engagement.

10. The followers said to him, “If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, then it is better not to marry.”

The Jewish leaders said you could divorce your wife for any reason. Jesus is remind them that they are not really living by God’s Law.

11 – 12

Jesus answered, “Not everyone can accept this truth about marriage. But God has made some able to accept it. There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to become fathers. Others were made that way later in life by other people.

And other men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. But the person who can marry should accept this teaching about marriage.”

God has called some to stay single. This cannot be something that men make them do. If you go to sleep as Adam did, God will bring you a mate if He has one for you! Genesis 2:21

13 – 15

Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could put his hands on them and pray for them. When his followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.” After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there.

The Bible says that children are a blessing from the Lord. Sometimes we treat children as if they are not important. It is a privilege to know a child and teach them God’s ways. We should see each child as someone we can help to know God better than we did at that age.

16 – 17

A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have life forever?” Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have life forever, obey the commands.”

This man had been taught by the Jewish rulers but his spirit told him that these things would not get him into heaven. Jesus was asking this man if he knew who he was talking to. If this man could see that Jesus was the Son of God then his question would be answered.

18 – 20

 The man asked, “Which commands?” Jesus answered, “‘You must not murder anyone. You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not steal. You must not tell lies about your neighbor in court. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. The young man said, “I have obeyed all these things. What else do I need to do?”

This man thinks that he has been walking with God and that walking with God has not helped him. Many people think this way but there is something in their life that is hidden.

21 – 24

Jesus answered, “If you want to be complete, then go and sell all the things you own. Give the money to the poor. If you do this, you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me!”

But when the young man heard this, he became very sad because he was very rich. So he left Jesus.

Then Jesus said to his followers, “I tell you the truth. It will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus did not remind him of the tenth commandment about being greedy. When Jesus began to talk about his money this man started to see that he had not kept all the commandments.

People will not give their lives to Christ if they do not think that they have done anything wrong. We can use the Ten Commandments to show them that everybody has broken at least one of God’s laws.

After we show them this the Holy Spirit will speak to them about how they have been thinking that they are not so bad. God will show them that they need their sins forgiven after they see that they have sinned.

25 – 26

When the followers heard this, they were very surprised. They asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible. But for God all things are possible.”

The Pharisees said that having a lot of money is good because then you can give more money to God, but this would mean that you are buying your way into heaven. God has not called many wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or rich men.
1 Corinthians 1:26

27 – 28

Peter said to Jesus, “We left everything we had and followed you. So what will we have?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth. When the new age comes, the Son of Man will sit on his great throne. And all of you who followed me will also sit on 12 thrones. And you will judge the 12 tribes of Israel.

The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:14

29 – 30

And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms to follow me will get much more than he left. And he will have life forever. Many who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.

Do not look down on anybody. You will surprised that people you never thought would be saved can change and some who you see in the church may not be in heaven!