Matthew 19

19:1-12.  See notes at Mt.5:31-32.

     Because of the reality of sin, the Law may allow divorce to prevent a worse evil, but none of this is the will of God for marriage.  Marriage is a covenant which is broken by sexual union outside of the marriage bond, thus the exception in v.9 in the case of fornication.  (“Immorality” is wholly too broad a term inexplicably favored by the translators).  Moses is right that divorce must be allowed in a fallen world, but do not suppose it is God’s purpose just because it is legal.  When Jesus’ own disciples rebelled at this narrow view, Jesus reminded them that the only righteous choices were celibate single life or faithful marriage.  If you can accept single chastity, good.  But don’t degrade the commitment of marriage by some other choice.

     19:13-15.  This blessing of the children rightly follows the strong teaching on marriage.  It also picks up the thread of 18:1-6.  The humility of the childlike, the submission to God and each other in marriage, and this act of blessing and defending the little children is all part of a whole.

     19:16-26.  See notes at Mark 10:17-30.

     19:19b.  This quote of Lev.19:18 is the foundation and summation of the second table of the Law.  Jesus proceeds to show the young man that he does not in fact love his neighbor as he does himself.  The very law that he thought he could earn life by keeping had exposed his fatal flaw.  He loved this present world, a great snare for the young and the rich.  He was both.  But it takes a miracle of God’s grace for any man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Once again, this is connected to the teaching above that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who come like little dependent children.

     19:27-30.  Jesus reassures those who have left everything to follow him that they will not be sorry when the glory of the eternal kingdom is revealed.  The values and positions of this world will be turned upside down, as in the following parable.