Not All Idols are Made of Wood or Stone

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good.”

Matthew 19:17

Jesus is asked by a rich man in his prime what good must he do to get into heaven.  His intentions are implicit; instead of asking to follow Jesus, he wants to know a recipe for achieving a goal.  Nevertheless, Jesus enters into the discourse and ultimately brings it round to the thing that's been nagging at the young man all along:

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

And he walked away sad, knowing that his wealth had too great a hold of him.  For him, that was the thing that blocked him from the goodness of heaven's atmosphere.  For many, wealth is that thing that holds us back.

We say all the right things. We do all the right things.  But in the end there's something that we lack.  Jesus knows what that thing is.  For some, it's family.  For others it's wealth.  For others it's home - or culture, or even religion.  But Jesus is a jealous God, and He will not share His affections with another love!  Don't hedge that relationship by trying to do or achieve or acquire this place of God's goodness while holding on to the very thing that stands between you and Him, for He will surely see through that empty ruse.

Boundary Lines or Something Else?

The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." 

[Jesus said,] "The one who can accept this should accept it." 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:10, 12, 14

This discussion about the legalities of divorce according to the Law was started by "some Pharisees".  He answered their question unequivocally and in response painted a picture of marriage that, at least apparently to the disciples, was too heavy of a burden to carry.  Apparently they were hoping for an answer that gave a little more leeway in the matter...?

But the Law of Moses is what it is - something that paints such a picture as to highlight the need for a more overarching premise.  Since, however, they were asking Him to remain in their weeds He remained there with them until they (the disciples at least) realized that marriage is not intended to provide a way out, and the "way out" that God allowed Moses to provide in the Law is really not a way out after all.

So they express their overwhelming exasperation: "It is better not to marry."  To which He responds, "If you can stand to stay away from that covenant, then do it."  Does this imply, then, that Jesus is not in favor of marriage?

Laws are defining lines - much like rules of a sport or boundary lines on a playing field.  The Law of Moses is no different.  And people spend their whole lives studying these rules.  Often people spend more time sweating over how close they can come to those lines without stepping out of bounds than they spend actually playing the game.

Jesus answers the question of whether God is in favor of marriage by turning around and blessing children (which, under God's design, is one of the primary intended fruits of marriage).  He is, then, indeed in favor of marriage!  Otherwise, one could say that He would not have blessed the children - especially on the heels of stating that if you can stay away from marriage, then do so.

What Jesus is saying is this: "Live your life within the context of following Him - not the Law."  In this, we will happily play this wonderful "game", without any consideration for the boundary lines within which we will then naturally abide.