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

Usually, when I write about different things in a passage I try to do so in the order in which they appear.  Today I want to start with what Jesus said after the rich young man departed.  In particular I want to say something about this statement.

it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

I have frequently heard speakers say things, and writers write things, which try to explain this in a way which would make the first part of this possible, although difficult (and thus the second part as well).  However, when Jesus’ disciples heard this, they asked who could be saved.  Their logic appearing to be, if the rich cannot enter the kingdom of God, no one can.  Now, one can argue with their logic, but it certainly suggests how those who heard Jesus utter those words understood them.  Finally, I want to point out Jesus’ reply to the disciples

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Which reiterates that nothing we can do can save us and allow us to enter the kingdom of God, but that God can save us and thus bring us into His kingdom.

Now to go back to earlier in today’s passage for a second point.  After Jesus’ teaching about divorce, His disciples say, “Well, then it would be better not to marry at all.”  Jesus then replies with a statement similar to what Paul says about staying single.  It appears that Jesus is telling us hear that it is better to stay single while serving God than get married, but that not everyone is called to that life.  Some are born asexual, some are made asexual by others, and some choose to be asexual.  Jesus says that those who can accept the asexual lifestyle should do so.  Paul goes into more detail, explaining that those who choose to live without a spouse, without sex, can more fully dedicate themselves to serving God.  As Christians we have done a poor job of conveying this teaching.

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