I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Matthew 18-20

Today’s passage contains many elements which are worth discussion: child-like faith, God’s desire that all be saved, how to approach those who sin, forgiving others, wealth, reward for a righteous life,  and more.  After Jesus tells us that in order to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven we need to be like a child, He warns us against tempting the simple to sin.  We would be better off dying a horrible death than causing someone to sin.  Further, we should go to extreme lengths to avoid things which cause us to sin.  There are two things Jesus emphasizes here.  We should avoid leading others to sin, and we should avoid anything which leads us to sin.  Do not invite others into situations where they may be tempted to sin.  If you know someone has trouble resisting the urge to drink to excess, do not invite them out for a drink.  If someone struggles with temptation for sexual sin, do not bring them into situations where that temptation will be strengthened.  On the other hand, if you struggle with a particular sin, avoid those places, situations, and people who tempt you to commit that sin.

The other point I want to focus on is Jesus’ discussion about marriage and divorce.  Really, He is teaching about human sexuality.  When asked about divorce, Jesus responds that from the beginning God created humans as male and female.  The result of God’s act of creation is that a man leaves his parents and becomes joined to his wife.  The two become one and once joined by God, no one should separate them (see the above about causing others to sin).  So, Jesus says that divorce is only acceptable in the most extreme, special case scenarios (basically, when one partner in the marriage has already separated themselves from the other).  I find the response of Jesus’ disciples to this teaching interesting, “If you can’t get divorced, it would be better to never get married.”  And Jesus does not correct them on that.  Instead He tells them that they are right, but not everyone can handle remaining single.  We need to make note of how He phrases that as well.  Those who choose not to get married are choosing not to have sex.  Not only is living a celibate life and never getting married an acceptable choice for Christ’s followers, it should be the first choice.  Getting married is for those who cannot handle being celibate.