10 “The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Matthew 19:10–12 (ESV)
Who wants to be told they shouldn’t get married? People never want to be told they can’t have something when it is something they really want; even when what they want will be disastrous. This is the case with some couples.
A young couple met with a pastor for pre-marital counseling. Throughout their meeting, the prospective newlyweds constantly argued with each other about everything while in the pastor’s presence. Finally, the pastor stopped the meeting and informed them that he could not in good conscience officiate their wedding. To their dismay, He informed them that they were incompatible and needed to end their engagement. How did they respond? They began to argue with the pastor as they argued with each other.
“The disciples correctly understood the binding nature of marriage, and that Jesus was setting a very high standard, permitting divorce only in the most extreme of circumstances,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Jesus’ disciples understood His tough talk concerning biblical marriage (Matt. 19:3-9). They responded rather cynically by saying, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”
“They, along with many other people of that day and age—and of today!—seem to have been obsessed by the idea, “What can I get out of marriage for myself?” Their question should have been, “How can a man use this marvelous institution for the benefit of his wife, himself, his children-to-be, his fellow men, and God’s kingdom?” These men did not as yet fully understand that the spirit of love, service, and sacrifice, the very attitude of their Master (Matt. 20:28; Luke 22:27), must be applied to every relationship of life, also to that of marriage,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
Jesus’ response was equally direct. “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.” Jesus’ tough talk about marriage and divorce extended to singleness.
The Lord continued to explain that circumstances of life may prevent certain individuals from marrying. “For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
“Jesus acknowledged the lifelong commitment of marriage can only be fulfilled through God’s gifting and is not His calling to all,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul. “Some may be precluded from marriage by physical causes (eunuchs from birth or made so by men), but others pursue the single life by choice, for the sake of advancing God’s kingdom (I Cor. 7:7-9).”
Are you ready, willing and able to answer God’s calling in your life? Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 