Marriage… vs. 1-6

• 1^st – Rejecting Jesus… vs. 1-2
  • After… vs. 1
    • Now it came to pass – when Jesus had finished these sayings.
    • He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan!
    • AFTER Jesus had FINISHED [τελέω] these saying – He LEFT the Galilee…
    • He came down to Judea – near the Jordan River – as He moved towards Jerusalem…
    • This was the beginning END of the MINISTRY of Jesus – as He prepared for the CROSS!
    • The phrase AFTER these saying – is used THREE times in the book:
    • After the completing the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 7:28
    • After completing His ministry in the Galilee – Matthew 19:1
    • After completing His preparation for the cross in Judea – Matthew 26:1
    • We have come to the END of the SECOND section of the book of MATTHEW…
    • We now come into the THIRD part – the REJECTION of the KING!
  • Healing… vs. 2
    • Great multitudes followed Him – and He healed them there!
    • LARGE [πολύς] crowds followed Jesus from the Galilee to Judea…
    • And even though Jesus knew they would REJECT Him – He HEALED [θεραπεύω] them all…
    • These same PEOPLE would lay down palm branches – cry out HOSANNA – Matthew 21:9
    • Then only four days later – they would cry out CRUCIFY – Mark 15:13
    • They would REJECT Jesus – but He NEVER rejected them!
    • This what GRACE looks like – it is God healing the very people who would CRUCIFY Him…
    • God does NOT see us as the enemy – He LOVES us and is trying to SAVE us…
    • And anyone who come to Him – no matter what we have done – can be HEALED!
• 2^nd – Testing Jesus… vs. 3
  • Pharisees…
    • The Pharisees also came to Him testing Him!
    • The PHARISEES [and scribes] had already challenged Jesus FIVE times…
    • FIRST – they ASKED why Jesus ate with SINNERS – Matthew 9:11
    • SECOND- they ACCUSED His DISCIPLES breaking the Sabbath – Matthew 12:2
    • THIRD – they DEMANDED Jesus show them a SIGN – Matthew 12:38
    • FOURTH – they CHALLENGED Him about their TRADITIONS [washing hands] – Matthew 15:2
    • FIFTH – the TESTED [πειράζω] Jesus asking for a SIGN from HEAVEN – Matthew 16:1
    • Now a SIXTH time – they are going to TEST the Lord…
    • TEST [πειράζω] – to TEMPT someone – try to get them to STUMBLE!
    • When satan came to Jesus in the wilderness – he TEMPTED [πειράζω] Him THREE times…
    • When Jesus answered him with the WORD – he left for a while – Luke 4:13
    • But now he was back – using his children [Pharisees] to try and STUMBLE Jesus again!
    • When satan attacks – it does not mean he appears with a pitchfork…
    • The enemy can come in many forms – even from those who look godly – II Corinthians 11:14
    • But no matter HOW the enemy attacks – the answer is ALWAYS the same…
    • We go back to the WORD of God – and stand on the TRUTH!
  • Divorce…
    • Saying to Him: Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?
    • The TEST the PHARISEES gave to Jesus – was about DIVORCE…
    • FIRST they state THEIR fact – it is [indicative] allowed for a man to DIVORCE his wife…
    • DIVORCE [ἀπολύω] – to send away – the implication is to break up a marriage…
    • SECOND they give their question – could a man get a DIVORCE for ANY [πᾶς] reason!
    • There were a VARIETY of views on DIVORCE in those days…
    • Rabbi Shammai [conservative] taught DIVORCE was only allowed for ADULTERY…
    • Rabbi Hillel [liberal] taught a man could DIVORCE for ANY reason…
    • If his wife burnt the rice – if he did not get along with her – if he found a prettier woman!
    • It is amazing that times have NOT changed much – this debate still rages today…
    • Technically DIVORCE is illegal in the Philippines – but we just changed the name [annulment]
    • And there is currently a bill [9349] that has passed the House that would legalize DIVORCE…
    • The question is NOT whether people will get DIVORCED [for good or bad it happens]
    • The question is WHEN is DIVORCE allowed by God!
• 3^rd – From the beginning… vs. 4
  • [Jesus] answered and said to them:
  • Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female!
  • Jesus did NOT answer by quoting the ideas or OPINIONS of men…
  • He went back to the WORD of God – He went back to Genesis [ἀρχή]
  • When God created the WORLD – He made TWO genders – MALE and FEMALE!
  • Genesis 1:27 – “God created man in His own image… male and female He created them.”
  • The world wants to ERASE God from their conscience – we were NOT created [evolution]
  • And as society rejects the CREATOR – the very definition of GENDER is challenged…
  • We see people today questioning the DESIGN [currently the count is 107 genders]
  • The argument is since we are an ACCIDENT – no DESIGN – we can be whatever makes us HAPPY…
  • The ATTACK has gone on to question WHO people can MARRY…
  • We are pressured today to accept HOMOSEXUALITY as an acceptable lifestyle…
  • Society tries to argue people are born that way [no scientific evidence]
  • But we go back to the ORIGINAL – to the DESIGN – marriage is one MAN and one WOMAN!
• 4^th – Plan of God… vs. 5
  • One Flesh…
    • For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife…
    • And the two shall become one flesh. So then they are no longer two but one flesh!
    • The plan from the beginning was for a MAN to leave his HOME – become ONE with his wife…
    • Meaning MARRIAGE is NOT the idea of MEN – it comes from GOD…
    • And it is IMPORTANT – the ONLY thing to survive the FALL of man – was MARRIAGE!
    • Therefore MARRIAGE is perfect – although the TWO sinners who get married are NOT…
    • But it does tell us how important MARRIAGE is – for THREE reasons!
  • Friendship…
    • When God created the world – everything was very GOOD – Genesis 1:31
    • The FIRST time God said something was NOT good – was Adam being alone!
    • Genesis 2:18 – “The LORD God said… I will make a companion who will help him.”
    • Because two are better than one – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
    • God knew that we do not do well on our own – we need FRIENDSHIP…
    • Out spouse should be our BEST friend – the ONLY one we will have for a lifetime!
  • Godly Children…
    • Genesis 1:28 – “Then God blessed them – and God said to them – Be fruitful and multiply!”
    • God created MARRIAGE – so there could be CHILDREN…
    • They are no longer TWO but ONE – fulfilled in children – Genesis 2:24
    • Not just CHILDREN – God wants godly CHILDREN – Malachi 2:15
    • Children who know – love – and follow Jesus – by following their parents example!
  • Understanding Love…
    • God uses TWO relationships to describe His love for us…
    • God calls us His CHILDREN – I John 3:2 – God also calls us His WIFE – Revelation 21:9
    • When a husband sees his bride dressed in white – that is HOW Jesus sees us…
    • The first time a mother holds her newborn child – HOW Jesus sees us…
    • It is through MARRIAGE we understand how much our Heavenly Father LOVES us!
• 5^th – Do Not separate… vs. 6
  • Therefore what God has joined together – let not man separate!
  • THEREFORE – knowing the PLAN of God for MARRIAGE…
  • Once God has JOINED [glued] two people together – let no MAN tear them apart!
  • God says MARRIAGE is GOOD – it is part of His PERFECT plan for us…
  • But our enemy wants to get us to QUESTION the plan of God – Genesis 3:1
  • He will whisper lies in our ear – someone else will make us HAPPIER…
  • But being ripped apart from ONE sinner – just to marry ANOTHER is NOT the answer…
  • Satan HATES marriage – because marriage reveals the LOVE of God…
  • He would love nothing more than to see our families ripped apart…
  • But do NOT believe the LIE – instead to back to the PLAN of God!

• 2^nd – Divorce… vs. 7-9
  • 1^st – The Law… vs. 7
    • [The Pharisees] said to [Jesus]:
    • Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce – and to put her away?
    • The PHARISEES challenged Jesus with the COMMAND [ἐντέλλομαι] of Moses…
    • The LAW did allow for ONLY a man [not the wife] to initiate a DIVORCE – Deuteronomy 24:1
    • The dilemma is that the REASON for the DIVORCE was not clarified…
    • It just says if a man finds UNCLEANNESS in his wife…
    • UNCLEANNESS [עֶרְוָה] – the word means to be NAKED – or behave improperly…
    • This lack of clarification is what led to the wide varieties of interpretation about DIVORCE!
    • The problem with a LAW – is that it can easily be ABUSED…
    • There are times when DIVORCE is unfortunately a necessary option…
    • But the dilemma is once the door is opened – people will ABUSE it…
    • In the US – the DIVORCE rate is almost FIFTY percent…
    • The man reason given for DIVORCE – the generic excuse of irreconcilable differences!
  • 2^nd – Hard Heart… vs. 8-9
    • [Jesus] said to them: Moses because of the hardness of your hearts…
    • Permitted you to divorce your wives – but from the beginning it was not so!
    • Moses did ALLOW for DIVORCE – but only because of a HARD heart [σκληροκαρδία]
    • It was NOT part of the ORIGINAL plan that God created in Genesis [ἀρχή]!
    • When we were SINGLE – we could do ANYTHING we wanted…
    • We could go ANYWHERE we wanted – eat ANYTHING we liked…
    • Because there was NO one else we had to think about!
    • Which is why MARRIAGE is NOT easy – now we have to think about SOMEONE else…
    • But that is part of what makes MARRIAGE a blessing – if we do NOT harden our heart…
    • Like a MIRROR that tells us the TRUTH – and reveals who we are…
    • Our SPOUSE reflects us – and shows us the truth about how SELFISH nature…
    • God gave us MARRIAGE to HUMBLE us – and KIDS to finish us off!
    • Luke 9:23 – “If anyone desires to come after Me – let him deny himself… and follow Me.”
  • 3^rd – Reasons for Divorce… vs. 9
    • Adultery…
      • I say to you whoever divorces his wife – except for sexual immorality.
      • And marries another commits adultery.
      • And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery!
      • Jesus gave only ONE reason why God allows for DIVORCE…
      • SEXUAL immorality [πορνεία] – any sexual relationship outside of MARRIAGE!
      • The word [πορνεία] is where we get the word PORNOGRAPHY…
      • Jesus would say that if we THINK about another woman – it is ADULTERY – Matthew 5:28
      • SEX was created by God to BIND two people together – I Corinthians 6:16
      • And when a SPOUSE goes outside of marriage and makes that BOND with another person…
      • It betrays TRUST – and it is VERY hard [impossible without Jesus] to overcome that hurt…
      • BUT – it is NEVER the best option to seek to get DIVORCED…
      • To tear apart what God has GLUED together – is always DEVASTATING…
      • Rather than have a HARD heart – the better option is to FORGIVE!
    • Other Reasons…
      • There are TWO more reasons the Bible gives for DIVORCE…
      • FIRST – if a believer is ABANDONED by the unbelieving spouse – I Corinthians 7:15
      • Note the believing spouse is not permitted to abandon the marriage…
      • But if the unbelieving spouse leaves – the believing spouse is free to remarry…
      • SECOND – if a spouse DIES [natural causes] – then the living spouse can remarry – Romans 7:2
      • God does allow for remarriage if the DIVORCE was for Biblical reasons…
      • Although we must get REMARRIED to a believer – I Corinthians 7:3
      • It is very challenging to get remarried – because it is VERY expensive to get ANNULLED…
      • But God does not LACK resources – and He is more than able to PROVIDE…
      • Because it is important to make our relationship right before MEN and GOD!
    • Unbiblical divorce…
      • What if we have been divorced for ANOTHER reason…
      • Divorce is NOT an unforgivable sin – and God can take beauty from the ashes – Isaiah 61:3
      • But there are CONSEQUENCES – broken hearts – the challenge of blended families…
      • The thing to remember is that divorce is NEVER the best option…
      • NOT that God wants us to be miserable – He wants us to have GREAT marriages…
      • Remembering the BEST marriages are NOT based on feelings or commitment…
      • These things are not consistent – because we are NOT consistent…
      • The one constant we can build a lifelong marriage on is Jesus – Hebrews 13:8
        

• 3^rd – Singleness… vs. 10-12
  • 1^st – Better to be single… vs. 10
    • [Jesus] disciples said to Him: If such is the case of the man with his wife it is better not to marry!
    • In response to the RESTRICTIONS Jesus put on DIVORCE…
    • The disciples answered – it is [indicative] better for a man NOT to get married…
    • The disciples understood what Jesus was saying – MARRIAGE was for LIFE…
    • Whether they married a GOOD spouse or a BAD one – they were STUCK…
    • Considering the potential hazards of marrying a BAD spouse – better to be SINGLE!
    • Proverbs 18:22 – “He who finds a wife finds a good thing!”
    • There is wisdom in being VERY careful on deciding WHOM to marry…
    • It is a decision that will last a LIFETIME – for better or worse!
  • 2^nd – Being Single… vs. 11-12
    • Born Single…
      • [Jesus] said to them: All cannot accept this saying but only those to whom it has been given.
      • For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mothers womb!
      • Jesus answered and told them NOT everyone [πᾶς] can be SINGLE…
      • Only those who have been GIVEN [passive] the GIFT are able – THREE ways:
      • FIRST – some men are BORN as EUNUCHS [unable to procreate]
      • There are any number of disabilities that would prevent someone from getting married…
      • Such as a child is born with downs syndrome – or cerebral palsy!
    • Made Single…
      • There are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men!
      • SECOND – some men are MADE as EUNUCHS by other men…
      • It was not uncommon to castrate men who would serve in the court of the king!
      • When ESTHER was preparing to become the QUEEN of Persia – Esther 2:15
      • She befriended Hegai – the chief EUNUCH who served the women in the palace!
    • Choosing to be Single…
      • There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake!
      • THIRD – some men CHOOSE to be SINGLE [eunuch] for the Kingdom of God…
      • Because there is an advantage to NOT being married!
      • I Corinthians 7:32-33 – “He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord – how he may please the Lord.  But he who is married cares about the things of the world – how he may please his wife.”
      • Those who are NOT married – do NOT be in a rush to get married…
      • There is a BLESSING to being SINGLE – we have more TIME…
      • When we are married much of our TIME and energy goes to our family…
      • When single we are freed up in our TIME and resources to serve the Lord!
    • Power to be Single…
      • He who is able to accept it – let him accept it!
      • Those who have the POWER [δύναμαι] to accept SINGLENESS…
      • MUST [imperative]  receive the GIFT the Lord has given to them!
      • If we can [δύναμαι] be SINGLE – then it is better to be SINGLE – and wholly serve the Lord…
      • But if we are tempted [burn] with the idea of MARRIAGE – I Corinthians 7:2 
      • If we have dreamt our whole life about being MARRIED…
      • If we think every time someone looks at us they may be the ONE…
      • Then there is a good chance we are called to be married…
      • But do NOT be in a hurry – wait on the Lord for His timing!
      • Philippians 4:11 – “I have learned in whatever state I am – to be content.”

• 4^th – The Children… vs. 13-15
  • 1^st – Praying for kids… vs. 13
    • Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray.
    • The disciples rebuked them!
    • People began to bring CHILDREN [παιδίον] to Jesus so He could PRAY for them…
    • But the DISCIPLES rebuked [ἐπιτιμάω] them [dative] – referring to their parents…
    • The question is WHY would parents bring their KIDS to Jesus at this moment…
    • When He just finished teaching about MARRIAGE and DIVORCE…
    • The answer – because the CHILDREN are just as effected [if not more] than the PARENTS!
    • It is well documented that CHILDREN who have experienced DIVORCE…
    • Have lower grades – higher levels of drug abuse – depression – and are more promiscuous…
    • They are also HALF as likely to go to church when the grow up!
    • Often in our MARRIAGES we get FOCUSED on our own problems…
    • We MISS the impact that our decision have on our KIDS!
  • 2^nd – About the Kids… vs. 14-15
    • Jesus said: Let the little children come to Me – and do not forbid them.
    • For of such is the kingdom of heaven. He laid His hands on them and departed from there!
    • Jesus answer was SIMPLE – let [imperative] the CHILDREN [παιδίον] come to Him…
    • They were NOT [imperative] to stop them – because the Kingdom BELONGS [genitive] to them!
    • Our kids WATCH everything we do – and LEARN through our choices…
    • They are going to FOLLOW in our footsteps – so where are we leading them…
    • Having a good MARRIAGE – is NOT just about us – it is about our KIDS…
    • We want to LEAD them to Jesus – bring them to the one who will lay His hands on them…
    • The greatest gift a father can give – is to let his CHILDREN see him LOVE his wife…
    • Because it is through our LIVES we get to SHOW them the LOVE of Christ!