A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

MARRIAGE – PART III      

Matthew 19:10-12 “The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” 

Once again Jesus’ disciples misunderstand. In this case they misunderstand Jesus’ teaching regarding marriage. They said to Him that it seemed to them that it would be best if a person simply did not marry. 

To not marry, unless given a special gift from God, is not in alignment with God’s will. Jesus referred earlier in His discussion with the disciples to creation when God created a wife for Adam. Marriage is God’s gift. He created it for procreation and spouses sharing love with each other. Marriage is one way human beings give glory to God. 

Jesus’ point in today’s devotional verses is a marriage and celibacy both require self-mastery of one’s heart. Your place in God’s kingdom means keeping yourself free from whatever would harm your spiritual life, your relationship with God. Within marriage, sexual unfaithfulness (adultery) to your spouse, disrupts your marriage itself. God’s design of marriage is permanency and sanctity beyond question. It is a complete commitment to your spouse and to God who created your marriage.   

Singleness, like marriage, requires the same commitment to God of purity and fidelity. In singleness your commitment and fidelity are completely to God. Neither singleness nor being married gives a person merit with God. In either state your relationship with Him is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, in my current station in life create in me a pure heart and a right spirit for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Renew me, O eternal Light,  
And let my heart and soul be bright,  
Illumined with the light of grace  
That issues from Your holy face. 

Remove the pow’r of sin from me  
And cleanse all my impurity  
That I may have the strength and will  
Temptations of the flesh to still. 

Create in me a new heart, Lord,  
That gladly I obey Your word.  
Let what You will be my desire,  
And with new life my soul inspire. 

Grant that I only You may love   
And seek those things which are above  
Till I behold You face to face,  
O Light eternal, through Your grace.  

Renew Me, O Eternal Light // LSB 704