The passage we are entering today is 95% the teaching of divorce- a subject which my familiarity with is on how to screw it up, and I don't feel qualified to go in depth on it. But I am going to hit it from a different angle- one that will involve just a couple questions Jesus asked, four that were asked of Him, and one incident that yet again shows that Jesus has His work cut out for Him with us.
Set #1:
Their question:
"Is it lawful..." Matt 19:3
His answer:
"Have you not read..." Matt 19:4
So once again the Pharisees sought to trap Him on a point of Law. They knew very well the Law that they were questioning; they also knew all the ways they were skirting God's intent for it. Just like us- we have a 'favorite sin', whether it be an outright transgression or something that society has accepted, and we want to join them. Jesus's answer to us was the same as it was to Satan when he tempted the Lord- "It is written"! If we read the Bible for His intent and not our rationalization, the answers to all these questions are in it. But again, just like then, those who use it most, use it wrong.
Set #2:
Their question:
"Why then ..." Matt 19:7
His answer: "Because of your hardness of heart ..." Matt 19:8
Here is where they take pride in knowing "their answer", and seek to establish themselves with their misunderstanding of God. Much like the lady who tried to defend abortion to me by misusing Gen 2:7, but had no actual idea what Gen:2:7 SAID, only that someone had shared with them a 'talking point'. Jesus gives them the thing God sees when they answer from pride- a picture of a hard heart that no longer listens. A hard heart can memorize the Bible, and have nothing correct except the occasional acorn found by the blind hog.
Set #3:
Their question:
"If such is the case..." Matt:19:10
His answer:
"Not everyone can receive this saying..." Matt 19:11
And here the blind hogs Disciples hit an acorn. They hit a point Jesus was making, but not because they understood- but because they were whining, "This is too hard!" And Jesus answered, "You're right. It IS hard. And not everybody can do it." This is why the Spirit gives to us different gifts. This is why we have different denominations and different styles of churches, because not everyone can apply the same truth the same way. And like the Pharisees, a lot of today's "churches" cannot understand that theirs isn't the only style. Just ask a 'good' Catholic if a Protestant can make any good points.
The Incident
Now, remember the start of last week's chapter, where the little child was brought to Jesus? And yet, one chapter later....
Mat 19:13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
Mat 19:14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
And with all the teaching Jesus does for the Disciples, they STILL haven't figured out how to APPLY. They have not learned anything at all, whether due to malice, self-righteousness, lack of courage, or inability to put words into deeds. And just like last time, the next thing that happens resets everyone to the beginning...
Set #4:
Their question:
Mat 19:16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"
His answer:
Mat 19:17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good..."
And that One is God, and if He is good, then we are back at the beginning- He IS God. And Jesus starts by listing the Commandments- in effect, telling Him...
"Have you not read..."?
