MATTHEW LESSON 39

     We will start this lesson in Matthew 19:13  "Then were there
brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on
them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them."

     Doesn't this sound like our churches today? They say that little
children are not old enough to know what they are doing, and
therefore, should not be allowed to come to Jesus. We covered this a
little in one of our previous lessons, but it is important enough to
touch on again. These little children are just miniature in size. They
need the blessings of the Lord, the same as the old. Maybe, if Jesus
could touch us at a very early age, we would not make nearly as many
mistakes as we do when we wait until after we have lived in the world
for years before we come to Jesus.

     Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid
them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 19:15 "And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence."

     Jesus said, here, that little children are usually eager to come
to Him, when they are allowed by the older groups to come. Even though
a child is, probably, not able to understand all the intricacies of the
Scriptures, they can still receive Jesus on faith.  Except we come in
the innocence of a little child, by faith, you or I cannot inherit
eternal life with Jesus (Matthew 18:4, Mark 10:15).

     As usual, Jesus paid no attention to the complaints of the
disciples.  He went right ahead and blessed the children. Then Jesus
departed.

     Matthew 19:16  "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good
Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

     It is unusual for the Lord to see one person separate from
others.  It seemed this person was of some distinction, possibly, the
rich young ruler.  Some believed that some special good deed done
could insure a life in heaven with God. This young man had, probably,
been instructed in the Old Testament Scriptures and knew the law
(Moses law). At least he had good intentions; he wanted eternal life.
He really did not recognize Jesus as God manifest in the flesh, but
rather thought of Jesus as a good teacher. He surely admired Jesus and
respected His abilities with God.

     Matthew 19:17 "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
[there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter
into life, keep the commandments."

     Jesus did not explain the commandments, so this young man
already knew them. Jesus upbraided him for calling Him good. Notice,
that Jesus did not say that He was not good. He just said God is the
only good one.  The Spirit of God covers Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

    Matthew 19:18 "He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do
no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
shalt not bear false witness," Matthew 19:19 "Honour thy father and
[thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew
19:20 "The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from
my youth up: what lack I yet?"

     Jesus was aware that this young man was familiar with the Jewish
law.  This young man had attempted to do what was right. He still had
no peace within. Doing works does not bring peace. A personal
relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to find peace
and happiness.  This young man was earnest in asking, if there  was one
other thing that he could do that would insure him a life in heaven?

     Matthew 19:21 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go
[and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me."

      Really, being perfect does not get us to heaven. Having a pure
 heart and believing in Jesus and His resurrection from the dead, gets
 us to heaven. We do know that our treasures should not be stacked up
 here on the earth, but should be stored away in heaven. God really
 does not require a person to give up every cent he owns in this
 world to follow Him, unless it is so important to him that he would
 choose the wealth over God; if it came to a decision. What ever we
 have, that is more important to us than God, is what we are required
 to give. God said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me", Exodus
 20:3.

     Matthew 19:22 "But when the young man heard that saying, he went
away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

     Here is where the decision is made for eternity with God in
heaven, or an eternity in hell. The Bible says that it is difficult
for a rich person to be saved. The reason is, that many of them have
made a god out of their wealth.

     God, as I said before, will not allow us to have anything that is
more important to us than He is.  How sad! This young man went away
not only from Jesus' presence, but away from God for all of eternity.
He chose great wealth on this earth in place of heaven for all of
eternity. Sometimes, it is just our pride, or our families, or homes,
or our recreation. Whatever it is, we must choose to serve God or our
pet loves. We cannot serve both.

     Matthew 19:23  "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say
unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of
heaven." Matthew 19:24 "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter
into the kingdom of God."

     Jesus explained to His disciples that a rich man has a much harder
decision to make to follow Him. All of them were familiar with the
"...eye of the needle..." entrance in that part of the world. The
opening was very low and the camel had to kneel down and go through it
on his knees.  Jesus was saying, a rich man has to humble himself, and
get down on his knees to worship God to receive heaven.  Rich people
sometimes think too highly of themselves and are not humble enough to
kneel to God. Poor people have already been humbled by their position
in the community.

     Matthew 19:25 "When his disciples heard [it], they were
exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?"  Matthew 19:26
"But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible."

     In the Old Testament, men of great wealth like Abraham, David,
and Solomon were the beloved of God.  Wealth usually indicated that
you were in tune with God. Wealth was a blessing from God.

     Now, this teaching was going against all these teachings of the
Old Testament. He, also, kept the law of Moses. They could not
understand why this young man could, possibly, not be saved. Then Jesus
told them that all things are possible with God.  Even this wealthy
young man could be saved, but he just had to put God ahead of
everything else, including his wealth.

     Matthew 19:27  "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we
have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?"

     Peter, as all the other disciples, had given up everything of
this world to follow Jesus. They gave up jobs, families, homes, and all
worldly possessions.

     Matthew 19:28 "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you,
That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of
man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon
twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

     Here was the promise that the disciples rewards were not for the
here and now. They were for the time when Jesus shall reign and sit on
His throne. They will rule with Him.  Probably, twelve is a spiritual
number meaning those apostles who have given all. They will rule over
physical Israel, the descendents of Abraham in the flesh).

     Matthew 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall
inherit everlasting life."  Matthew 19:30 "But many [that are] first
shall be last; and the last [shall be] first."

     Those who have not sacrificed to the level of the twelve disciples 
will, also, be rewarded in heaven, if they have given up
personal things in this life for Jesus' sake.

     This last statement just means that some in the end time might
even be first in the kingdom, even though they were not of the
original group.  There will be martyrs at the end, who may be high on
Jesus' list.
                         Matthew 39 Questions

1.  What two reasons were the little children brought to Jesus?
2.  How did the attitude of the disciples and the attitude of many
    church people today coincide about children?
3.  If we are touched by Jesus at an early age, how might it help us?
4.  What does the Scripture "...for such is the kingdom of heaven
    refer to..."?
5.  What did Jesus tell the disciples about the children?
6.  What did the young rich man call Jesus?
7.  What did he ask Jesus?
8.  Who did he think Jesus was?
9.  How did Jesus reprimand him?
10. What did Jesus tell him to do?
11. Why did the young man still want an answer after admitting he had
    kept the law from his youth?
12. What did Jesus tell him to do to be perfect?
13. Why was the young man sad on hearing this?
14. What are we required to give up to be saved?
15. Why does the Bible say it is difficult for a rich man to be saved?
16. What example of an animal did Jesus give to demonstrate how hard
    it was for the rich to be saved?
17. What must the animal do to go through?
18. What does that demonstrate with people?
19. Why were the disciples amazed at this?
20. Name three Old Testament people who were beloved of God?
21. What did Peter ask Jesus?
22. What promise did Jesus make the disciples?
23. What does Jesus promise believers who give up earthly things for
    Him?  Two things.
24. Why does He say the first may be last, and the last first?