Jesus insisted that the keeping of God’s commandments is imperative, even if it involves considerable sacrifice. A young man approached him to ask what he should do to inherit eternal life, and the answer Jesus gave was: “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” v.17.Matthew 19:17XWaiting for response This man was very rich so when Jesus cited God’s commandments he omitted “thou shalt not covet” v.18-19,Matthew 19:18-19XWaiting for response enabling the man to declare his obedience v.20.Matthew 19:20XWaiting for response Jesus then told him that, in his case, to be completely obedient he should dispose of his possessions and follow him v.21.Matthew 19:21XWaiting for response This made the rich young man very sorrowful v.22,Matthew 19:22XWaiting for response causing Jesus great sorrow for he loved him Mark 10:21.Mark 10:21XWaiting for response The apostles had indeed left all to follow Jesus, therefore they were promised everlasting life and high positions in his kingdom as rulers over the twelve tribes of Israel v.28.Matthew 19:28XWaiting for response The promise of living and reigning with Christ, furthermore, is to all his disciples who make the necessary sacrifices in their lives v.29-30.Matthew 19:29-30XWaiting for response
In this chapter Jesus emphasises the importance of keeping God’s actual commandments, rather than those of men. For example, God gave the Jews a law through Moses in which he legislated concerning divorce, but they allowed divorce for any cause v.3.Matthew 19:3XWaiting for response This became a matter of dispute among the Jews, and the Pharisees asked Jesus concerning it and his answer settled the matter of divorce for his disciples: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” v.9.Matthew 19:9XWaiting for response