Matthew 19

Reflections on Matthew 19

Interesting passage about marriage in verses 3-12, especially as I got into quite the heated discussion this week with my 7th and 8th grade Leadership class about homosexuality. Some of the kids said that they think "certain people are born that way." One kid said that some may be born with a female brain and male parts. This same student said his aunt is a lesbian. I told the kids that "ya know what? Some people are born with both body parts. Some of them are born with both and their parents have to choose for them at birth... some people are born with no arms and no legs just like the guy that spoke at our chapel a few weeks ago. BUT whatever way we are born, we are not our own. We are God's. He is our creator, so we are responsible to submit to him and live as he calls us to through his word. Our life is not our own. THAT is where we mess up. We think it is and that we are the center of our world and things aren't fair. But if we look at it that our bodies are truly not our own anyway, then we should follow who created us no matter the cost or no matter what temptation we have to live otherwise. This is our test. We either submit to our creator, or we live in rebellion."

I told the kids that whatever we CHOOSE to do in life, we either live out God's way by the bible or we don't. Whatever our temptations to go another way but God's are sin. We all face different temptations in life. We are either submitting our lives to God or choosing to live in rebellion.

So, point being, here I am this morning reading Matthew 19, and this is what Jesus says as the Pharisees are questioning him about marriage and divorce.

"Not everyone can accept this word (about not marrying), but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Here is an interesting commentary from Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible regarding this passage:

"Some were so born from their mother's womb; meaning, not such who, through a natural temper and inclination of mind, could easily abstain from marriage, and chose to live single; but such who had such defects in nature that they were impotent, unfit for, and unable to perform the duties of a marriage state; who, as some are born without hands or feet, these were born without proper and perfect organs of generation; and such an one was, by the Jews, frequently called, , "an eunuch of the sun (n)": that is, as their doctors (o) explain it, one that from his mother's womb never saw the sun but as an eunuch; that is, one that is born so; and that such an one is here intended, ought not to be doubted. The signs of such an eunuch, are given by the Jewish (p) writers, which may be consulted by those, that have ability and leisure. This sort is sometimes (q) called "an eunuch by the hands of heaven", or God, in distinction from those who are so by the hands, or means of men, and are next mentioned:

and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: as among the Romans formerly, and which Domitian the emperor forbid by a law (r); and more especially in the eastern countries, and to this day among the Turks, that they may the more safely be entrusted with the custody of their women; and this sort the Jews call , "an eunuch of men", or , "by the hands of men". The distinction between an "eunuch of the sun", and an "eunuch of men", is so frequent with the Jews (s), and so well known to them, that a question need not be made of our Lord's referring to it:

and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs; not in a literal sense, in which the words are not to be taken, as they were by Origen; who though otherwise too much pursued the allegorical way of interpreting Scripture, here took it literally, and castrated himself (t); as did also a sort of heretics, called Valesians (u), from one Valens an Arabian; and which practice is recommended by Philo the Jew (w), and by Heathen philosophers (x), for the sake of chastity. But here it means such, who having the gift of continency without mutilating their bodies, or indulging any unnatural lusts, can live chastely without the use of women, and choose celibacy:

for the kingdom of heaven's sake; not in order, by their chaste and single life, to merit and obtain the kingdom of glory; but that they might be more at leisure, being free from the incumbrances of a marriage state, to attend the worship and service of God, the ordinances of the Gospel church state, to minister in, and preach the Gospel of Christ, and be a means of spreading it in the world, and of enlarging his kingdom and interest.

He that is able to receive it, let him receive it: whoever is able to receive cordially, and embrace heartily, the above saying concerning the expediency and goodness of a single life, and having the gift of continency, can live according to it; let him take it, and hold it fast, and act up to it; he may have less of worldly trouble, and be more useful for God in the Gospel of Christ, and to the interest of religion; but this should be a voluntary thing: no man should be forced into it; and he that goes into it, ought to consider well whether he is able to contain, or not.

That is a lot to think about in this day and age. This is an interesting passage in reflection of our society and it's political correctness. Once again, our bodies are not our own. However we were born or made by men, we are responsible to God to submit ourselves including our bodies to Him, as He is our Maker. We have no "rights." Our lives are not our own. We may choose, especially in this day and age, to live like they are our own; however, this is sin and placing ourselves and our desires as most important. Whatever we do, by word or by deed, should be done to the glory of God. That is why we are here. That is our purpose. To bring Him glory and to worship Him.