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Friday, February 13, 2026

The Demands and Rewards of Righteousness

 

Sadhu Sundar Singh was an Indian Christian (1889 – 1929)


Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Dr. Alice C. Linsley. For this study, we use Mary's study notes and Alice's notes of historical and anthropological relevance.

To prepare, read Matthew chapter 19. When you have finished, answer the 8 questions. Scroll to the bottom to check your answers.


Introduction

In Matthew 19 we read that Jesus left Galilee and went south to Judea where he healed many and taught about righteousness. His teachings touch on the sanctity of marriage, divorce, welcoming and blessing children, the dangers of love of wealth, the necessity of humility, and the future rewards awaiting the 12 Apostles. The chapter emphasizes that entry into the Kingdom requires righteousness that often involves sacrifice and giving up earthly wealth and social relationships.


Questions

What motivated the Pharisees to ask Jesus about divorce?

2. What did Jesus say about Moses and divorce?

3. How did Jesus react when the disciples tried to turn away the children who were brought to him?

4. What did Jesus teach about sexual self-denial?

5. A rich young man sought eternal life. What stood in the man's way, according to Jesus?

6. How did Peter respond to Jesus' statement about complete dependence on God rather than on one's wealth or accomplishments?

7. Jesus answered Peter's question about rewards. What did he say? 

8. What did Jesus mean when he said that "the first will be last and the last will be first" in the Kingdom?

Answers

1. Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus. However, they failed. Jesus replied that God intends marriage to be a lifelong union, stating "what God has joined together, let no one separate". He allows divorce only in cases of sexual infidelity and designates marriage of convenience after divorce as adultery.

2. Jesus said that Moses allowed divorce because of the hardness of men's hearts. In the time of Moses (c. 1480-1500 BC) only men could petition for divorce. For some men, there was no just cause for the divorce. It was a matter of lusting after another woman. Hebrew women were aware of this possibility. They wore their wealth in the form of gold jewelry so that they would have financial resources in the event of divorce. Their jewelry served as more than ornamentation. It was a form of portable, personal wealth and security in the event of divorce or widowhood.

3. When the disciples try to turn away the children, Jesus rebuked them, stating that "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". Then Jesus laid his hands on the children and blessed them.

4. Jesus taught that voluntary celibacy in the service of God's kingdom is honorable. He recognized that not all people can receive this message. Jesus mentions three types of eunuchs: those born that way, those who have been castrated, and those who choose to be "eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven". Deuteronomy 23:1 forbids physical eunuchs from entering the worship assembly of the Lord. This created a problem for some castrated Jewish leaders who returned from Babylonian captivity. Isaiah 56:3–5 promises that eunuchs who keep the Sabbath, please God, and hold to the covenant will be given "an everlasting name" that will not be cut off. Isaiah 56:5 states:

To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—
to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.

This speaks of God's compassion for his people.

    5. The Rich Young Ruler asked what he could do to receive eternal life. He believed that there is some deed that can earn one a place in the Kingdom. Jesus did not argue theology with him. Instead, he pointed to the man's real problem. Jesus told the man to sell his possessions and follow him. However, the man's love of his possessions was an obstacle to following Jesus Christ. He went away sad. Jesus remarked that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom. 

    6. The disciples asked who then could be saved, and Jesus answered, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". Peter said that he and the other disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. He wanted to know what reward he would receive.

    7.     Jesus spoke of a future reward when the twelve Apostles would sit on 12 thrones in the Kingdom. This is further described in Luke 22:30 and in the Book of Revelation. Revelation describes twelve thrones upon which the twelve Apostles will sit as righteous judges over the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus' charge to the twelve Apostles set a standard of righteousness beyond what any person can reach in their own strength. The Apostles were to conform their lives to God's commands and to seek spiritual perfection. This requires putting on the righteousness imputed through Jesus Christ, a deep knowledge of Scripture, spiritual discernment, and evidence of the fruits of righteousness in their lives and ministries. Before their future reward, however, all of the Apostles would suffer persecution. Except for John, they all died as martyrs and John was exiled to Patmos.  

    8.     When Jesus said, "the first will be last and the last will be first" (verse 30), he was speaking about the value system of God's Kingdom. It is not like the earthly realm where people value status, wealth, seniority, and power. In the Kingdom of God true greatness is found in humility and righteous service. Jesus speaks of this reversal of values in Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31, and Luke 13:30.

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