The Simplicity of Matthew 19 I. Introduction A. The world today is full of divorce 1. The divorce rate in America has never been higher 2. Odds are now that you will have been divorced at least once in your life B. The matter of divorce has also caused great difficulty in the church 1. As with society, so will go the church 2. One of the greatest problems we have facing us is the controversy over marriage, divorce, and remarriage C. Recent divergences in belief are often and varied 1. It almost seems like a new divergent belief on marriage, divorce, and remarriage crops up daily! 2. There are now all kinds of positions under the sun 3. Mental divorce, Matthew 5/19 as "Old Testament", conversion as removing previous marriages, the fornicating party able to remarry, etc., are just a few of the many doctrines being espoused 4. All of these divergences have led many to despair as to whether we can ever know God's truth regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage! D. The tragedy of all this is really how simple Matthew 19:1-12 really is 1. The message of Matthew 19 is actually rather simple 2. The difficulty is not in understanding the text at all! 3. Sadly, the problem is that brethren want to see certain things in the text-- or, for that matter, do not want to see certain things in the text E. Let us then spend some time examining Matthew 19:1-12 and see whether we can understand what God's desire is for marriage, divorce, and remarriage II. Matthew 19:1-3 A. To begin, let us look at the introduction to the chapter B. We are told that Jesus leaves Galilee and comes to parts of Judea that are on the eastern side of the Jordan River (v. 1) C. We are told likewise that He was healing people there (v. 2) D. At this time, some Pharisees come up to test Him, and ask Him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause (v. 3) 1. The Pharisees constantly tried to test Jesus, trying to trap Him in something that He would say (cf. Matthew 16:1-4) 2. On this subject-- that of lawful divorce-- they could easily trap Him 3. The matter as to whether Deuteronomy 24:1-4 would legitimate divorce for any reason or only for sexual immorality was a matter debated hotly by Jewish scholars in the first century 4. The debate was between two schools of thought: those of Shammai's school felt it could only be for sexual immorality, while the school of Hillel thought it could be for almost any reason 5. Therefore, if Jesus sided with either school of thought, the Pharisees could simply advocate the position of the contrary school 6. In the end, Jesus will leave them completely unsatisfied because He will advocate both: He will agree with the school of Hillel on how Deuteronomy 24:1-4 is to be interpreted according to the Law (Matthew 19:8), but will agree with the school of Shammai in that from the beginning it was not to be so (Matthew 19:4-6) E. Regardless, let us now look into Jesus' answer to the Pharisees' question III. Matthew 19:4-6 A. Jesus then answers the Pharisees B. "Have you not read?" (v. 4) 1. Jesus' answer is based on the Scriptures 2. These are things that the Pharisees themselves could know and should know 3. It is good advice for us to likewise make sure that our answer regarding questions of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, are based on the concept of, "have you not read?" C. Jesus then establishes the truth based on Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24 (vv. 5-6a) 1. Jesus shows how God, who made man and woman, said that a man would leave father and mother, join to his wife, and the two would become one flesh 2. Jesus goes back to the beginning to establish the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23) a. we will see more clearly from verse 8 that Jesus is not interpreting the Law of Moses here but is indeed preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom b. He does a similar thing in Mark 7:5-19-- Jesus declares all foods to be clean, which was the case with all foods in the time of Noah (Genesis 9), yet was not so under the Law D. Jesus then provides the true answer to the Pharisees: What God has joined let not man put asunder (v. 6b) 1. Jesus' answer should be our own: is it lawful to divorce? Well, what God has joined man is not to separate! 2. Man separates what God has joined through sexually deviant behavior (porneia, cf. v. 9), or divorce 3. It is God's intention for one man and one woman to cleave to one another and become one flesh (Genesis 2:24)-- that is not to be separated! 4. Divorce represents such a separation-- thus, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) 5. The existence of a divorce mandates that sin is present-- either the divorce itself is a sin, or the act of sexually deviant behavior that precipitated the divorce is a sin 6. In short, God's will for man in marriage is to never have divorce, let alone remarriage 7. Likewise, we can learn much about the nature of marriage and divorce from Jesus' statement 8. We can see what constitutes a legitimate, holy marriage: two whom God has joined a. God does not join a man and a man, nor a woman and a woman b. God does not join a man or woman who divorced their spouse for reasons other than porneia to another, nor does God join anyone who has been divorced to another (save their original spouse) c. God does not join the unwilling-- only those who are making the commitment to one another 9. Likewise, while man is not to separate what God joined, man can separate what God joined a. Jesus did not say, "What God has joined man cannot separate" b. He said man "is not to separate" what God joined c. Therefore, man certainly can separate what God joined, but such is sin! IV. Matthew 19:7-9 A. The Pharisees then respond asking why Moses commanded divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1 (v. 7) 1. The Pharisees perceive that they can still get Jesus: after all, to them, He has avoided the question! 2. They can see that Jesus has affinities for the position of Shammai...so they turn to what Moses said 3. It should be noted that the passage here is quoted from the Greek Septuagint, which phrases Deuteronomy 24:1 as a full conditional, "if...then," clause B. Jesus responds by establishing that Moses allowed divorce because of the hardness of their hearts, and that from the beginning such was not so (v. 8) 1. Jesus does not talk about the "traditions" of the Pharisees, or what the elders say, or what the Pharisees think that Moses says, but specifically that which Moses allowed has not been so from the beginning 2. Thus, that which Moses allowed in the Law of Moses was not God's original intention for marriage, and was added only because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites 3. It is clear that Jesus is not advocating that what Moses said is true for all times, but in fact here contrasts the Gospel of the Kingdom against the Law of Moses 4. It should also be noted that while the Pharisees speak of Moses commanding divorce, Jesus speaks of Moses allowing it a. what Jesus says is more in line with the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 24:1, which does not look at what Moses says as a full conditional (if…then), but as the beginning of the "if", or protasis part, of the conditional b. while the Septuagint (and see KJV) would make it seem that Moses commands divorce, the Hebrew-- and Jesus-- establish that Moses is not commanding divorce proper, but simply allowing it C. Jesus then establishes the truth regarding divorce and remarriage-- if anyone divorces their spouse and marries another, they commit adultery, unless the divorce is for sexually deviant behavior (v. 9) 1. It is important for us to recognize the difference between the rule and the exception a. the rule is that the one who divorces and marries another commits adultery b. the exception is if the divorce is for sexually deviant behavior c. if the only time a divorce is a divorce is if it is for the "right reason", why does Jesus treat that "right reason" as the exception to the rule? d. Jesus establishes the reality that the majority of divorces are not going to be for the "right reason" and any subsequent remarriages will be adultery 2. We must remember also that verse 9 is not in a vacuum a. What Jesus says in regards to the question about divorce flows from what He said regarding marriage b. God's intent is for divorce to never happen-- sin is the reason for any divorce c. Therefore, we should not be surprised to see that most divorces are not going to be right, and that all divorce will be the result of or result in pain and suffering 3. Notice also that Jesus speaks only of a man and a woman a. Many want to cloud the issue of marriage, divorce, and remarriage by making a big deal about the court system b. While a divorce should certainly follow applicable civil protocol (Romans 13:1-5), in the end, the courts are only acting upon the basis of what men ask them to do c. Courts do not divorce people; men and women divorce people! 4. Notice also how Jesus characterizes the parties a. Many want to speak of "guilty" and "innocent" parties b. There is no such language in Matthew 19, or in any passage regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage c. There only are the active, divorcing party ("one who divorces his wife") and the passive, divorced party ("she who is divorced") d. "innocent" and "guilty" are very charged and charging terms; I have yet to meet any spouse who is entirely innocent of sin against their mate 5. Why "adultery"? a. some get hung up with the idea of "adultery," since for adultery to occur, they feel that the original marriage must still exist b. "Adultery" simply means "to have sex with someone other than your spouse" c. does that spouse need to still be your spouse at that very moment? d. John 4:17-18: how can the Samaritan woman have "five husbands"? e. Most importantly, what of the woman who is put away for having committed aadultery (Matthew 5:32)? Is not her remarriage adultery in the text, even though her previous husband could remarry without sin? f. Therefore, it is manifest that a marriage can be dissolved but yet any future marriages be adulterous, since the marriage was ended faithlessly and one is still amenable to their original marriage 6. Notes about the text a. while Jesus speaks in terms of men divorcing women, we should not take from this that women have no ability to divorce their husbands if they are unfaithful b. in situations where one spouse dies, the surviving spouse can remarry (Romans 7:1-5), since the separation was not on account of any sin nor did man separate it V. Matthew 19:10-12 A. While most discussions of the passage end at verse 9, Jesus and the disciples do continue to speak about the matter B. The disciples seem somewhat taken aback by Jesus' declaration, and wonder if it is profitable to be married in that climate (v. 10)! 1. The disciples' reaction should end any dispute regarding whether Jesus is teaching according to the Law! 2. The statement that the only way to divorce your wife was for sexually deviant behavior was rather unthinkable, so much so that the disciples thought it better not to be married than to be stuck in marriage to one woman! 3. What Jesus establishes as God's truth regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage is manifestly not the norm for the first century Jewish society C. Jesus' response is rather cryptic: not all can receive this, and some are made eunuchs from birth, by men, and some will be eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom (vv. 11-12) 1. Jesus recognizes that not all men will follow this, and He is sadly right a. we have no ability to count how many have departed from the faith to preserve their marriages b. it would be eternally far better for them to not be married but to obtain God, either because of the relationship being adulterous or so as to choose God over an unbeliever, but they have chosen to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh over God c. likewise, many will never consider converting to the faith because to do so would mean to give up an adulterous relationship 2. Jesus also speaks of those who intentionally renounce relationships for God 3. Yes, some of whom He speaks will never be married a. they will be as Paul: always celibate for the Kingdom's sake (1 Corinthians 7:6-9) 4. ...yet, considering the context of the discussion, it is hard not to conclude that Jesus is speaking of the many who will be called to be celibate in order to be pleasing to God a. one who is divorced need not be perpetually in sin-- he or she can remain unmarried or be reconciled to their rightful spouse (1 Corinthians 7:10-11) b. There are many and will have to be many who will have to forsake any physical relationship to gain the Kingdom of Heaven c. Those who are willing and able to consider the eternal things of God more precious than the fleeting pleasures of marriage should be held in high esteem! 5. Jesus' declaration, then, reinforces what He has said previously, and demonstrates beyond a doubt that indeed there will be many who will be in improper divorce situations and will have to be called to remain celibate to gain the Kingdom VI. Conclusion A. We have seen today Jesus' teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage from Matthew 19:1-12 B. We have seen that Jesus taught that which was God's intention for marriage: for a man and a woman to leave father and mother and cleave to one another, becoming one flesh, and that such a union is joined by God and is not to be separated by man C. When pressed regarding divorce, Jesus speaks consistently with God's intention: most divorces are sin because they separate that which God joined, and any future marriages are adultery; only when one divorces a spouse for sexually deviant behavior, an act done in response to a separation of what God joined, can one marry another without sin D. We have seen that despite the Pharisees' attempt to trap Him, Jesus could not be convicted by them-- Jesus, in His teachings, transcended not only the inner-Jewish disputes about Deuteronomy 24:1 but also the Law's teachings on divorce entirely E. Jesus teaches the Gospel of the Kingdom, and it seems harsh to the ears of His disciples, and Jesus affirms that some will be eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven, renouncing any sexual pleasure so as to obtain the Kingdom F. It is my hope that these teachings are seen as plain and simple-- Jesus speaks rather plainly, and most of what we have established is precisely what the text says G. The disputes regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage, then, are not on the basis of God not being clear, but on the basis of man's desire to legitimize what God has condemned H. Let us understand the truth of God regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and not be swayed by false doctrines I. Invitation/songbook J. To be one of the saved in the Kingdom, you must be obedient to God K. All men are called to obey God, and if you have not done so, you have that opportunity today L. Perhaps you once obeyed God but have strayed; we can help and pray for you today M. Or perhaps you simply require encouragement to keep the faith-- that's why we're here! N. Whatever your need, please come to the front as we stand and sing