The Word Made Fresh
1Then Jesus left Galilee and went to the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan river. 2A large crowd of people followed him there, and he healed many of them.
3Some Pharisees were there also, and they came to him to test him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?”
4Jesus replied, “I’m sure you have read that the One who made them made them male and female, 5and said, ‘This is why a man leaves his parents to be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ 6So, they are no longer two individuals, but are one flesh. Therefore, let no one separate what God has joined together.”
7They responded, “Then why did Moses tell us that a man could give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you are so hard-hearted, but from the beginning that was not the case. 9And I say that whoever divorces his wife for any reason other than adultery and marries another woman commits adultery himself.”
10Then the disciples said to him, “If that’s the rule for husband and wife, then it’s wise not to marry at all.”
11But Jesus said, “Not everyone can accept this lesson; only those to whom it has been given. 12Some eunuchs, after all, have been eunuchs from birth; some have been made eunuchs by others, and some eunuchs have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can will accept this.”
13People began bringing their little children to Jesus for him to bless them. The disciples tried to dissuade those who brought them, 14but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t forbid them. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them and those who are like them.” 15Then he blessed them and went on his way.
16Then a young man came to him and asked, “Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life?”
17Jesus responded, “Why are you asking me about right things to do? There is only One who is right. If you want to gain eternal life, then obey the commandments.”
18“Which ones?” the man asked.
Jesus replied, “Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. 19Live in a way that honors your parents. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
20The young man responded, “I’ve done all these things since I was a youth. What else must I do?”
21Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell whatever you own and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.”
22But the young man was quite wealthy, and when he heard Jesus say this he went away sadly.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, “It is so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24It would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.”
25His disciples were shocked. “Who can be saved, then?” they asked.
26Jesus looked at them for a moment, then said, “True, it is impossible for men and women. But nothing is impossible for God.”
27Peter responded, “But we’ve left everything and followed you! What will we gain from it?”
28Jesus replied, “I promise you who have followed me that whenever everything is made new and the Son of Man is seated on his glorious throne, you will also be sitting on twelve thrones from which you will govern the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left a house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields in my name, will receive a hundred times more, and will have eternal life as well. 30But understand that many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first.”
Commentary
1-2: The region of Judea beyond the Jordan is the stretch of land on the east bank of the Jordan River, a route Jesus likely chose to avoid going through Samaritan territory as well as to avoid unwanted publicity.
3-9: The tactics of the Pharisees are gradually changing. Their first opposition was in the form of questioning the actions of Jesus and his disciples. Then they began to ask for “signs” from Jesus to authenticate his words and actions. Now they are beginning to seek ways to trap him into saying something they can use against him. The question about divorce is a loaded question: John the Baptizer had been executed for opposing Herod’s divorce and remarriage, even though Herod was technically within the law of Moses (under a rather broad interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Jesus’ reply puts him squarely at odds with Herod; he seems to be deliberately courting opposition as he nears Jerusalem. He won’t back away from God’s will for the sake of personal safety.
10-12: If you can’t get divorced, why risk marrying? There is an element of comedy in the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ strict interpretation of the law. Jesus’ reply has to be understood in the context of a Jewish culture that held marriage to be a blessing. However, there may be some within the community of faith who eschew marriage for the sake of serving the cause of the kingdom of heaven.
Marriage is good. Singleness is good. Choose one and stick to it.
13-15: To illustrate the kingdom’s emphasis on being unassuming and childlike Matthew records a scene which involves children.
16-26: Jesus has previously addressed the subject of wealth and how it might impact one’s faithfulness (see 6:24, 13:22). Much has been made over the “camel through the needle’s eye” statement, but it simply boils down to, “you can’t take it with you.” The kingdom of heaven requires its citizens to treat each other properly (verses 18-19). It is hard to love your neighbor as yourself when your neighbor is poor and you are rich.
27-30: Peter, of all people, is flabbergasted. Obviously he has been nursing the idea that rewards were awaiting Jesus’ followers. Jesus explains that the reward his followers can expect is to be given responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven when creation is reborn (“at the renewal of all things”). In the kingdom of heaven faithfulness trumps success.
Takeaway
It would seem that the key to faithfulness is selflessness. Think about it.