Matthew 19: 1 – 30
Free Pass To Heaven
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” 10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” 13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. 16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
A familiar passage that Pastors and Christian Counselors use for marriage and divorce issues is chapter 19 of the Gospel of Matthew. This is true and a valuable reference, yet for today I would like to share something the Lord has pointed out to me which might bless you also.
I want to be honest with you on something. Some things I hate to do are going and visiting people in the hospital and doing funerals. I hate being overwhelmed all the time in sorrow. The bible says in the book of Galatians chapter 6 we learn this truth, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.”
I have a hard time for I get swept up with the hurts, sorrows, and pain of others. I knew this counselor who is cold as ice. He deals with peoples problems and keeps them separate from his heart. He gives them the text books answers but does not personally care about them. If they succeeded in their mental and personal development good, if not, o well sorry about that. I can’t do that. I get too involved personally and emotionally. Maybe, you can list this position of caring too much about people.
Anyway, I share this personal weakness of mine to describe how I came upon chapter 19. A lady who helps out at church a few days each week son died. She did not ask for me but someone else to do her boy’s funeral service. It was inconvenient for this other Pastor to do the service, so that is how she got stuck with yours truly.
It was quite a sad occasion. He boy was perfectly well for a year and a half after he was born and then became sick. From the treatment and medicine that the doctors gave him, this incorrect action caused him serious physical and mental issues. His mind and body shut down from that point on. He was ultimately assigned to private care in a facility that assists children and adults who are incapacitated. He mysteriously died while in this facility. The mom not only was overwhelmed with grief, but also guilt of not caring for her boy. Can you somewhat see my problem in dealing with these complicated hardships? Yet, I wanted to offer my help and love to relieve some of their hurts both mentally and spiritually.
Each time I do a service I do not want to just use a canned teaching which I observe many Pastors do. I pray and ask the Lord to show me what He wants me to share with those He brings out to the service. So, as you can guess, I believe the Lord pointed me to chapter 19 of Matthew.
After I read this chapter a few times I could see the life of this boy literally jump off the pages of my bible.
So, let’s take a look at this awesome chapter of God’s Holy Word.
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Now let me ask you some questions in order for us to understand this verbal response from our Holy Master. Look at verse one again. What does it say?
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.’
Do you see the point here? Well, let me highlight it. What had our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ just finished saying? You see He was teaching the people the importance of forgiveness. Can you see the new significance now of chapter 19? No, well let us just take a quick look at our Lord’s instructions in chapter 18.
Who Is the Greatest?
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
Jesus Warns of Offenses
6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Dealing with a Sinning Brother
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
I have learned in life that there are no such things as a ‘coincidence’. Our Lord allows things in our lives for His purposes. He did the same with His disciples. Knowing this fact helps shed some light on what was happening. I believe all this came about because of His disciples. What were they doing? Look back again at chapter 18 if you must. They were arguing over who would be the greatest. This is not a good thing so our Lord is going to allow situations to occur in order to teach His followers.
What does he deal with first of all? – Innocent children. This would also include those people who are special need people. They are physically mature but have never passed the child mentality. Our Holy Judge comments first right at the beginning that if you offend one of these, you will not like the consequences that await you.
I like football and sometimes you read about how a college team is facing an NCAA investigation for rule violations. Some schools take immediate action against the individual sport function before the NCAA comes in with their verdict. If the school does this action, many times the NCAA will go lighter with their punishment of the college.
Our Lord points out that if someone offends an innocent child or person they will be better off if they took a huge desk size bolder and tied it around their neck and cast themselves into the deepest part of the ocean than what they will face from the Righteous King. Think about that for awhile.
Our Lord then goes on to talk about the importance of each person in His Parable of the lost sheep. Pastors who mistreat or allow sheep whom our Precious God has entrusted to their care should think more than twice before they allow hurt on innocent members. I like what one brother said about church members. He said that many times church’s minister to people that they should put out of the church and put out of the church people they should be ministering to. There is much wisdom in that statement.
Our Excellent Teacher then gives us all a lesson in dealing with a sinning brother by giving a Awesome Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.
Can you now see where our Lord Is going with His direction. He Is talking about forgiveness.
This is where He wants to leave the final impact of His lesson – on forgiveness. He leaves with this point in the minds of all who heard and then He starts on a journey. But there is a problem here because there are three groups in the Lord’s classroom; His disciples, the people who sought Him out to learn from Him, and the enemy, those who wanted to just cause trouble.
These evil people are hung up on the Lord’s teaching on forgiveness. For all who are married what is the biggest area dealing with forgiveness? Yes, it is forgiving our spouses.
We have to remember that a man and woman are imperfect. And the last time I did my math homework I find that imperfect plus imperfect does not equal perfect. However, if you add our Lord Jesus Christ to the equation then miraculously the marriage does become perfect.
The religious leaders had a big hang-up on our Lord’s Words about forgiveness especially when it dealt with marriage. This is why they pursued our Lord. When He finally stopped then they threw their questions at Him. Look at it again.
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
We all know our Lord’s response but that was not His intention. It was the Pharisees who cut in with this dialogue. Our Lord had other intentions which we will soon see. However, the disciples were bothered by these questions of the Pharisees so they responded;
10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”
But look closely here how our Wonderful God redirected His Awesome Wisdom back to His previous lesson of the importance of innocent children and people and the need of forgiveness. He changes the conversation.
11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
The Pharisees were hooked on not forgiving and granting divorce when ever you feel like it. Our Lord changed the subject to speak not of married couples but to speak of men and women who never can get married. He speaks of Eunuchs. Do you all know what a Eunuch is? It is a man who is not a man any more physically. If this point is not clear enough go home and look up the term ‘Eunuch’ for more clarity.
It is a man or woman who by today’s standards has been dealt a short hand by God. Some were born this way with serious physical and mental problems. Some did this to themselves. How you may say? I know quite a few who were in serious accidents some innocently caused and some caused by their own stupidity or lack of attention.
How does this deal with forgiveness. Well, I know that all of us have this or had this problem. It is not forgiving God? He of course does not need our forgiveness because He has never done anything that warrants our forgiveness. We need to be forgiven by Him. But you and I both know that we carry these complaints and grudges against Him. We do not like the things that have befallen us in our lives. So, who do we blame? Hey, after all, isn’t He in charge of everything? Yes, we sin by charging Him improperly. Please forgive us Precious Merciful and Gracious God!
Remember back in chapter 18 when our Lord was warning about offenses, who was He talking about offending? - Innocent children and people. Look how He brings the children and if you look closely enough, you will see that He Is talking about special needs people.
13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
You might say well I do not see special needs people listed. I like the Holman Christian Standard version which reads, “Then children were brought to Him so He might put His hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Then Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this." 15 After putting His hands on them, He went on from there.”
Please notice the part of the verse, ‘people like this’.
Throughout history people have killed off or looked down on people who are disadvantaged. It would be better off for mankind if these imperfect people were killed off. That’s what Hitler and his insane Nazi party member felt.
Many believe that these individuals have been dished out a horrible lot in life. They have been called ‘retards’ or worse. Yet our Heavenly Father does not think the same about them. In fact He has a special blessing in store for them.
I love the innocence even in their name. My son was named after me. However, we called him ‘Tommy’. There came a point in his life where he corrected us though. One day he said my name is ‘Tom’. You see special needs individuals in their 20’s, 30’s or even upward are still called Billy, or Jimmy or another child like name. Do you see the innocence that people see in them as they refer to them this way?
What is important is not how we look and judge these individuals but how our Lord thinks. Our Lord loves them so much, forgive me for saying this, and is that He has determined that they receive a free pass to heaven. Their lives may seem a waste to us humans but not to God. He loves them so much that He will not hold them accountable as our Lord’s apostle Paul explains to us in Romans chapter 7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.’
You see there is what we call an age of accountability that Paul points out. It occurs when we ‘normal’ people come to an understanding of things. Like little children these folks who have been handicapped by life have not reach any point where they have to make a decision about Jesus. They are okay with El Shaddai – God Almighty – just the way they are. They have a ticket already punched for heaven.
Yet not so for us. We have to choose the right ‘Way’ ourselves.
How would you feel if you were in a crowd and the Lord looked over at you and said your ways remind Him of Sodom and Gomorrah. Or worse yet you were the person the Lord was talking about in Matthew chapter 7, “21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
In the bible we read in Psalm 90, “10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” You know what 70 is very long and then you have to meet your eternal destination. Where will it be – heaven or hell? Our Holy King, Lord, and Savior volunteered and gave His life for you and me. However you need to do something to receive God’s forgiveness.
Don’t just believe me but see what God says you have to do to be saved. We find out the way from the book of Romans chapter 10, “8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Now, what exactly is this saying? I would say that you know that Jesus Christ lived and died here on earth. Am I right? Well, then you are half way to being saved. The book of Romans says if you believe this and then confess this with your mouth, what will happen? You will be saved!
So, if you want forgiveness from our God and have not prayed to ask for His Salvation, then, if you are truly sincere and want this, then I invite you to join with me with this prayer. I ask you now to get on your knees and pray out loud this prayer to God.
‘Dear Heavenly Father, please receive my prayer. I know that Your Son, Jesus Christ came to earth and died for me. I know that He rose again from the dead and sits at your right hand. Please forgive me of my sins. Dear Jesus, please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me Lord Jesus to live the rest of my life pleasing to You. I will pray from now on in Your Name. Amen.”
If you have prayed that prayer there is a party going on in Heaven right now. You don’t believe me? Look at what it says in the Gospel of Luke chapter 15, “7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.’ Sounds like a celebration to me, how about you?
Now, back to our study.
We now get this rich guy showing up on the scene so why is he here?
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
This story is not out of place. I believe our Lord put this here as a continual example of what He Is teaching His disciples.
Look at this guy – Mr. Perfect. Everything a normal sinful person in this world seeks to be – healthy, young, rich, and has power and influence. However, with all a man could want, he was still lacking something. In Psychology we call this ‘overriding symptoms.’
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
How did Mr. Perfect wind up. He went away saddened. He went away the eternal loser. Some goody two shoe preachers try to add to this that somehow this man came back to Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. I do not read it anywhere in the bible. He had it all here but has nothing for eternity.
Again, instead of understanding our Lord’s principal point the disciples get all hung up on the ‘here and now’
Our Lord wants us to look to the ‘Big Picture’ – our eternity with Him. The disciples are focusing on conditions here on earth and why certain things happen.
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Who can be saved is the main point again. Our Lord points back to Himself as the Way, The Truth, and The Life but they still do not get it. So, now Peter joining in with the disciples confusion is thinking about himself.
27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
I think one of the most misunderstood miracles our Lord Does everyday is how He accomplishes His Will by using us. We sinful humans think about ‘what’s in it for me.’ Remember, back in chapter 18 the apostles were arguing about who is the greatest. I don’t think they learned their lesson. Here we are back as square one worrying about, ‘what do I get’. Is our Lord upset at them and finally tells them how selfish or stupid they are for not learning. No. Our Lord Is Merciful and Long Suffering. He knows that we are but dust. Yet, He loves us anyway. He merely again just brings them back to His teaching not their worldly concerns by informing them of both the spiritual and eternal issues. In the end the last shall be first and the first last.
If you want to be the greatest in God’s kingdom, it is just the opposite of what you strive for in this world. Give it all to Him and you shall be first.
