Reading Matthew 19 today, I was struck by how hard the sayings of Jesus really are. Of course we know that this is true occasionally. However I paused to wonder how many of the evangelical Christians I know truly believe - that is are willing to respond to - the sayings of Jesus in just this one chapter. Am I fully committed to His teaching here? Let me put it another way: how many do you know who believe enough to live out what Jesus teaches in just this chapter?
What am I talking about? Well let me give you several examples with just a little comment to prompt your thinking.
Matthew 19:1 - 9. Over the decades, as a preacher and teacher I've wrestled with this text on marriage and divorce. I've read numerous books and articles; preached and taught on the subject. It is a huge subject. I want to simply challenge whether we take Jesus words seriously. Let's take just one sentence from what our Lord said. It is a familiar verse but on that is apparently "not believed" by a huge number of believers.
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 19:6
How many evangelical Christians do you know who, influenced by our culture, have really more or less rejected this statement? How quickly are believers advised: "well if your spouse is doing that or treating you that way" no wonder you've left him/her? How seldom are believers told lovingly but firmly be evangelical friends: "It is a very, very serious thing to separate what God has joined. Be very slow to consider divorce."
I could ask the same thing about our Lord's brief words on singleness (19:11 -12) or his words on wealth and entering the kingdom of heaven. (19:16 - 26)
However in this brief post, let's just look at one of the last verses in the chapter.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." 19:29
How many sincere, quite committed believers do you know who by their actions and word refuse to believe this verse? I have suggested to a variety of believing adults - young and old, those in business and those in Christian ministry - that they consider leaving and serving God in another country and culture. It does not matter whether I was suggesting leaving for one year, three years or a lifetime.
The answer only slightly varies: I couldn't leave: my career; my company; my young adult children; my grandchildren; my pets; my aging parents; my house, etc.
The answer comes often so quickly, often seemingly with little thought, that either they don't know what Jesus promises, or they simply think Jesus does not mean what He promises: "will receive 100 times as much". I know people struggling to find investments that will simply guarantee 10% return!!
I believe divorce is an option in very, very serious marital situations. I know there are other biblical passages to consider. But do we really believe Jesus words about the "God involvement" in marriage?
And of course we all know that most believers are not asked to move and leave everything and everyone to serve Jesus somewhere else. However I doubt that most believers "really believe" his words? Believe enough to seriously consider making such a move, such a wise investment.
Some of Jesus words are indeed "hard to believe."
What am I talking about? Well let me give you several examples with just a little comment to prompt your thinking.
Matthew 19:1 - 9. Over the decades, as a preacher and teacher I've wrestled with this text on marriage and divorce. I've read numerous books and articles; preached and taught on the subject. It is a huge subject. I want to simply challenge whether we take Jesus words seriously. Let's take just one sentence from what our Lord said. It is a familiar verse but on that is apparently "not believed" by a huge number of believers.
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 19:6
How many evangelical Christians do you know who, influenced by our culture, have really more or less rejected this statement? How quickly are believers advised: "well if your spouse is doing that or treating you that way" no wonder you've left him/her? How seldom are believers told lovingly but firmly be evangelical friends: "It is a very, very serious thing to separate what God has joined. Be very slow to consider divorce."
I could ask the same thing about our Lord's brief words on singleness (19:11 -12) or his words on wealth and entering the kingdom of heaven. (19:16 - 26)
However in this brief post, let's just look at one of the last verses in the chapter.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." 19:29
How many sincere, quite committed believers do you know who by their actions and word refuse to believe this verse? I have suggested to a variety of believing adults - young and old, those in business and those in Christian ministry - that they consider leaving and serving God in another country and culture. It does not matter whether I was suggesting leaving for one year, three years or a lifetime.
The answer only slightly varies: I couldn't leave: my career; my company; my young adult children; my grandchildren; my pets; my aging parents; my house, etc.
The answer comes often so quickly, often seemingly with little thought, that either they don't know what Jesus promises, or they simply think Jesus does not mean what He promises: "will receive 100 times as much". I know people struggling to find investments that will simply guarantee 10% return!!
I believe divorce is an option in very, very serious marital situations. I know there are other biblical passages to consider. But do we really believe Jesus words about the "God involvement" in marriage?
And of course we all know that most believers are not asked to move and leave everything and everyone to serve Jesus somewhere else. However I doubt that most believers "really believe" his words? Believe enough to seriously consider making such a move, such a wise investment.
Some of Jesus words are indeed "hard to believe."
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