Matthew 19,     February 2, 2015

Three main themes here:   Divorce, Children and Discipleship Cost

1.  Divorce
we probably divorce too often, just as we marry too soon.  Our forefathers had the same issue.  Back in the days of Moses women were treated as third class citizens, almost the same as cattle.  A man could write his wife a certificate of divorce for almost any infraction.  This would leave the woman without a source of income, no home to go to, and no legal standing to go out and obtain work.
Today women in the United States are far more independent than they were 2,000 years ago.   In fact, women today are just as likely to divorce their husbands as the husbands are to divorce their wives (sorry, no statistic).

But as Jesus says, this is never how it was intended to be.   Once we agree to "marry" someone, it's permanent.  We should really take more care investigating our potential spouses, because if we leave them for anything other than adultery, the blame is on us.   In God's eyes, we cannot remarry, because we are already married.

The reality is that many couple divorce and remarry, and then go on to have happy spiritual lives.   But in order to do that we must first admit our sin to Jesus, and be repentant of it.   Repenting means more than just saying "I'm sorry".  There's an element of grief involved.   Change in behavior is required.    It's not acceptable to think that we will just divorce, remarry and then ask for forgiveness at some later date.    If we try that, I'm not sure we ever really repented.

Obviously there are many who divorce, realize that it was a sin and repent, but cannot turn back the clock to restore the relationship.   I guess they go on to marry other people, and trust that God will forgive their shortcoming.   Divorce isn't the unforgivable sin.   I personally know several people who have divorced and remarried and seem to be operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The bottom line:   make every effort to remain in your marriage, and if you are considering a spouse, make very sure that you are compatible and humble enough to live with this person forever.

2.  The Children
As was spoken of in yesterday's writing, children have a special place in the Father's heart.   We must all become childlike in our faith in order to enter heaven.   It was customary for the Rabbi to bless the children who were presented to him as he taught.   It was seen as a special favor to the family....
So Jesus prayed over the kids, placing his hands on them and asking the Father to watch over them.  
I wonder what He prayed?

3.  The Rich Young Ruler
He is willing to serve, to a point.  But he isn't "all in" with Jesus.   Jesus is number two in his book and his great wealth was number one.    Jesus knew this, and that's why he told him to go home and give it away.  It was in the way, and needed to be gone.  Often the Lord will say the same thing to us about something we treasure.   God has no problem with people gaining wealth.  Seriously, He isn't impressed with your wealth or power no matter how much you have.  it makes us little more than one of the most powerful ants in a colony.   God's resources and power are beyond our ability to imagine.  What He desires of us is our obedience, and our love...expressed by our willingness to sacrifice.   If we are not willing to sacrifice, then our love isn't as deep as it needs to be.    The rich young ruler loved Jesus, but he loved money more.

That's too bad, because unless he discovered the error of his ways, we won't be seeing him in heaven...a man who met with Jesus face to face, was loved by Jesus and taught by Jesus.   He'll miss heaven unless he repents.

The Lord tells us that even if we give away all that we have, He has plenty more to bestow upon us at the "renewal of all things".   Therefore, we shouldn't be discouraged if we have sacrificed here on earth, rather we should be encouraged...elated even.   Because every sacrifice is simply an investment in eternal riches.

Moving forward,

PR