Matthew - Week 59

A Question About Divorce 

READ 

Matthew 19:1-3 

1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. 3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 

Jesus now goes from Galilee in the north toward the south and east of the Jordan River. As usual, large crowds followed Him and He healed their sick. Likely, the large crowds tipped off the Pharisees about the location of Jesus. They came and tried to trap Him with a question. In their question about divorce, the key words were “for just any reason.” The Pharisees were deeply divided over this issue so no matter what Jesus answered, they thought He would be in trouble. 

REFLECT 

Have you thought about those today who would like to trap Jesus with questions? 

RESPOND 

The Pharisees always wanted to ensnare Jesus in a trap. Read Matthew 22:15-22 for another time this occurred.  

What God Has Joined 

READ 

Matthew 19:4-6 

4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” 5 And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” 

Notice Jesus’ belief in only two sexes being created and how marriage was to be between a man and woman. Today’s culture can change their notions about marriage but none of these should replace what Jesus said. Jesus also emphasized that no one should split apart what God has joined together. Jesus believed what Genesis 2:24 says, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” 

REFLECT 

What is it like in your culture? Do people believe there are more than two sexes? Do they believe it is acceptable for two people of the same sex to be married? 

RESPOND  

With another believer read Romans 1:18-32 to see what God thinks about two people of the same sex having a sexual relationship.  

Written Notice 

READ 

Matthew 19:7 

7 “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked. 

The Pharisees thought they had Jesus trapped by pointing out that Moses allowed for divorce during Old Testament times—the only Scriptures they had at the time. Surely they wondered how Jesus could believe anything contrary to what Moses had written.  

REFLECT 

Have you read something in the Old Testament that seems to conflict with the New Testament?  

RESPOND  

One of the differences between the Old Testament and the New concerns the Mosaic law. According to common Jewish count there were 613 commandments, not just the 10 in Exodus 20. Concerning diets and special days see what the apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:16-17. See also what James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, wrote in James 2:10.  

Not God's Intent 

READ 

Matthew 19:8-9 

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. 9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.” 

This was Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees who thought they had trapped him with their question. Jesus was concerned about what was originally intended, not how the hardened hearts of mankind had twisted the meaning of marriage and divorce.  

REFLECT 

Have you met some today who want to change God’s original intent of marriage? 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read Ephesians 5:31-33 to see that a Christian marriage is intended to be a picture of Christ and the Church.  

About Marriage 

READ 

Matthew 19:10-12 

10 Jesus’ disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!”  

11 “Not everyone can accept this statement,” Jesus said. “Only those whom God helps. 12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.” 

The disciples were perplexed by Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees about marriage. They wondered if it was better not ever to marry. Jesus acknowledged that not everyone could accept His statement. A eunuch was one who did not have the ability to reproduce. Whereas some were born this way, others were made this way, and some choose not to marry for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. Today many have served as parents to others although not having children of their own. 

REFLECT 

Do you know of some adult men or women who are childless but have served as a parent to other children?  

RESPOND 

Deciding to marry or remain celibate is a decision between a person and the Lord. No one else should make this decision for them. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 to see what the apostle Paul said about marriage and singleness. Read Hebrews 13:4 to see that marriage is an honorable state.