A Deeper Look at Matthew:  An End-Times Bible Study
Copyright 2012
 
 
Matthew 19
 
            Jesus departs from the area He is at and comes to the coasts of Judaea.  A large amount of people are following Him, as usual.
            The Pharisees come out and try to tempt Jesus into saying something with which they find fault.  They ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause.
            Jesus reminds these wicked Pharisees that, in the beginning, in the book of Genesis, God made them male and female.  When the man gets older, he leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife.  So, they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore, Jesus says, what God has brought together, let not man tear apart.
            So, these Pharisees then ask Jesus why Moses commanded that a bill of divorcement be written and a man to get rid of his wife.  Jesus responds that it was because the hardness of their hearts, but it was not meant to be this way from the beginning.
            Jesus goes on to teach the people that whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries someone else, commits adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
            Jesus' disciples reply to this and ask Jesus that, if this is the case, would it be better to not marry.  Jesus says to them that not many would be able to receive it but to them to whom it is given.  He says: some are eunuchs from their mother's womb while some eunuchs are made that way by men, while some other eunuchs make themselves this way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus says that those who are able to receive this, will receive it.
            Next, some little children are brought unto Jesus so that He can put His holy hands on them and pray for them.  However, the disciples see this and rebuke them.  Jesus says, however, to bring these little children unto Him and not disallow it, for this is what the kingdom of heaven is like.
            Do you remember what Jesus said in Mathew 18:4?  We must have the humility of little children if we are going to make it to heaven.  There is no place for arrogance and pride in the kingdom of heaven.  Those who are this way need to repent or they will never go to heaven.  Don't you see that pride is counter-productive?  Pride is not self-sustaining.  It is a black hole.  It is selfish.  It looks to take and take and take.  It does not give anything back but only looks to take for itself.  Humility is the opposite.  It is submissive and gives to others.  Humility expands outward and gives and it is self-sustaining.  There is simply no room for a black hole in heaven, so that is why they do not go there.  Unfortunately, in these last days, almost everybody is selfish and cold.  Pray they repent so they do not end up in the pit!
            Back to the story.  Jesus lays His loving hands on them and departs.
            A man comes up to Jesus and says, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life (19:16)?"  Jesus asks the man why he calls him good, saying that no one is good except for God.  Jesus also goes on to say to the man that, if he wants to enter into eternal life, he needs to keep the commandments.
            Now, why would Jesus ask the man why he called Jesus good?  I believe the man is trying to manipulate Jesus by calling Him good.  The man, as we find out next, is rich, and we know that the rich are wise in their own eyes, according to Proverbs 28:11.  This man sits on a big pile of money and this pile is so big that He thinks he knows everything there is to know in the world.  He thinks he has Jesus "figured out" by calling Him good.
            The man then asks Jesus what commandments he needs to keep.  Jesus tells him: do not murder, no committing adultery, no stealing, no bearing false witness, honor thy father and mother and finally, to love thy neighbor as thyself.
            The young man replies that he has kept all these commandments and asks Jesus what else he needs to do.  Jesus tells him that if he is to be perfect, he needs to sell what he has and to give to the poor, and he will have treasure in heaven.  Then, Jesus says to follow Him.
            (Many times I wish Jesus would show up at my front door and command me to do this so I can have the privilege of following Him.  What an honor that would be, even to die as a martyr.)
            Well, back to the story.  The man hears what Jesus says and goes away full of sorrow, because he has great possessions.  Jesus then says to his disciples that rich people hardly enter into heaven.  He then says in 19:24 that, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."  This is a famous biblical quote; what could He mean by this?
            We know that father Abraham was rich (Genesis 13:2) and that he is now in the kingdom of heaven (Luke 16:22-23).  How, then, can we compare a rich man going to heaven as likely as a camel going through the eye of a needle?  Well, Jesus was not talking here about rich people but those people with the "rich mindset."  It all has to do with where you put your trust and security.  People with the "rich mindset" put all their trust and security in money.  (Abraham was very rich according to the Bible but he was not sold out to money; he feared God and that is why he is in heaven).  You see, people that put money first are the people to whom Jesus is referring in this example.  Just because you have great wealth does not mean this is where you put your trust and security, although, many times this is the case.
            Back to the story.  Upon hearing this, the disciples are "exceedingly amazed" by what they hear and ask Jesus, "Who then can be saved?"  Jesus replies that this is impossible with men but that, with God, all things are possible.  Peter chimes in (as usual) and says that he and the disciples have given up everything to follow Jesus, asking Him what they will receive.
            In response to this, Jesus says to them which follow Him that in the "regeneration," when He sits on His throne of glory, the disciples will also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  He goes on to say, likewise, that every one that forsakes houses, or brethren, or family, or lands for His name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life.
            He ends, saying that many who are first will be last and the last shall be first.  What does Jesus mean by this?  Well, it is simple.  Those today who are "first" in society, having high positions with lots of honor and power and money, will be last after they die.  When these people die, all this will be taken away from them in hell, and they will be tortured and dishonored forever, thereby becoming last.  Contrariwise, the people today that are last (specifically the derided saved people who have little money and are dishonored and spat upon and have little power and low position), upon dying, go to heaven where they are given a beautiful home, the best heavenly job, and every honor and delight from God.  They are now "first," having been "last" on earth.