Matthew 19
The Pharisees raised a question about divorce. Jesus refers them to the garden of Eden where marriage was instituted (Gen. 2:22-25), where the two, man and woman, were made one flesh. Adultery is the only reason for divorce, except desertion. The disciples say, "If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry." All men cannot be eunuchs; it must be given of God.
Children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but He said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." What a gracious, tender Shepherd Jesus is. This is the way He acts toward all of His children.
The Rich Young Ruler
A young man inquired of Jesus, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" The Lord said, "Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto Him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
These commandments were all manward. He did not know his own heart. Before he could learn things of the next life, he must learn what was proper to this life. He should love his neighbor as himself. Jesus was his neighbor.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me." The poor were his neighbors. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. His life did not fit the principles of the kingdom of heaven. The Lord said that a rich man can hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. The disciples asked, "Who then can be saved?" He answered that with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Peter said, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
Many that are first (Israel) shall be last, and the last (Gentiles and repentant Jews) shall be first. We are in the kingdom of heaven now. How many young men and women brought up in Christian homes have forgotten where their treasure is. If they are believers, their treasure is in heaven. To make riches their idol only shows where their treasure is-on earth-and they, like the young man, will not only go away, but will be forever sorrowful.