What Would Jesus Do About Sinning Brethren?

What Would Jesus Do About Sinning Brethren? By Bill Blue

Some churches excommunicate sinning members. Some withdraw from or disfellowship sinners. Others do not discipline members at all believing that it is wrong to judge one another. What would Jesus do?

Where one brother sins against a second brother, Jesus has left us explicit instructions (Matt. 18:15-17).

15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between
you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he
will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established.' 17 And if he refuses to hear them,
tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to
you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Although Jesus limited His scenario to occasions where one brother sins against another, following Jesus’ pattern here should be the rule rather than the exception. As we consider the Scriptural authority for withdrawal, remember the goals of discipline: saving the lost brother (James 5:19-20), and protecting the church from sin (1 Cor. 5:5-8).

STEP ONE: GO TO THE BROTHER. Jesus commands us to begin the process by going directly to the sinning brother. The wisdom in doing so privately before involving third parties is obvious for at least two reasons: First, the “erring” Christian may repent immediately. Repentance may eliminate the need for others to know about the transgression and lessen the possibility of gossip and division. Secondly, you need to verify the facts. Going directly to the person accused of sin will permit you to hear their side of the story. How embarrassing would it be to confront the “transgressor” in the presence of others and then learn that no sin was committed?

STEP TWO: GO BACK WITH ONE OR TWO MORE. If your brother will not repent, find one or two witnesses (Matt. 18:16). Give your brother a second chance to repent. His spiritual welfare is the overriding concern (James 5:19-20). Others may be able to persuade him to repent and their presence will help assure that the facts are verified (Matt. 18:16). However, the number of people with knowledge of the allegations is still small. The brother may repent without the need of sharing the allegations with the entire church.

STEP THREE: TAKE IT TO THE CHURCH. If the brother will not listen to you or the others, you are then to take the issue to the church. If your church has elders, take the matter to them because they have oversight. The influence of the whole congregation is brought to bear in hopes of getting the brother to repent, but if he refuses, “let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Matt. 18:17).

LET HIM BE TO YOU LIKE A HEATHEN AND A TAX COLLECTOR. What did Jesus mean by saying that we should consider the sinning brother a Gentile and a tax collector? Remember that Jesus was speaking to Jews, and in the First Century, the Jews would not eat with Gentiles or tax collectors. By way of analogy, Jesus is instructing us to not eat with, keep company with, or otherwise socialize with sinning brethren (1 Cor. 5:11).

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY. In verse 17, Christ puts the responsibility on the individual to discipline the sinning brother when He says that “you” are to treat the brother as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matt. 18:17). Paul also emphasized the individual’s responsibility for discipline when he wrote, “we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us” (2 Thess. 3:6, ASV).

WHAT IS WITHDRAWN? Paul says that we are to avoid sinning brethren (Rom. 16:17), by withdrawing ourselves (2 Thess. 3:6) and our company from them (2 Thess. 3:14). We should not keep company or even eat with sinning brethren (1 Cor. 5:11).

WE ONLY WITHDRAW FROM SINNING BRETHREN (Matt. 18:15; 1 Cor. 5:11; 2 Thess. 3:6). We do not withdraw from the world (1 Cor. 5:9-13), but only our impenitent brethren who:

1. Commit sexual immorality (1 Cor. 5:11);
2. Covet (1 Cor. 5:11);
3. Are an idolater, reviler, drunkard, extortioner, or divisive (Rom. 16:17);
4. Sin against brethren (Matt. 18:15-17);
5. Walk disorderly contrary to apostolic tradition (2 Thess. 3:6);
6. Wander from the truth (James 5:19); or
7. Commit any trespass or offense contrary to doctrine (Gal. 6:1; Rom. 16:17).

We understand that no sin is any more or less dangerous than any other sin, though we may understand this better intellectually than we do in application. For example, many today may consider trivial what Paul said was disorderly conduct worthy of withdrawal (2 Thess. 3:6-14).


THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE IS YOUR BROTHER’S SALVATION AND THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCH (James 5:19-20; 1 Cor. 5:5-8). Discipline is difficult. Some brethren are unwilling to withdraw from a brother because they are concerned about the sinning brother’s feelings. This, however, ignores the fact that withdrawal is designed to shame the brother into repentance, and prevent sin from spreading throughout the church (2 Thess. 3:14; 1 Cor. 5:5-8).

Jesus’ pattern for dealing with sinning brethren protects not only our brother and the church, but ourselves also. Paul reminds us that when we seek to restore others that we should consider ourselves, lest we also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). The failure to try to restore a brother is in itself sin and a lack of concern for our brethren could become a lack of concern for sin in our own lives.

Jesus Church Discipline What Would Jesus Do? WWJD? Withdrawal Works
Spring Warrior Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ

Sin No More

Sin No More
The Woman Caught In Adultery, Part II
By Bill Blue

In last week’s article (WWJD no. 23), we reviewed John 8 where Jesus was confronted with the woman caught in the act of adultery. He convicted the woman’s accusers of sin (John 8:7-9). He did not condemn the adulteress, but told her to “sin no more” (John 8:10-11).

Jesus’ instruction to “sin no more” was a command to end her adulterous activities and adulterous relationship. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines an “adulteress,” as one “who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another” (see Rom. 7:3). Apparently, either the woman, or the man with whom she was having intercourse, was married to another person.

Implicit in Jesus’ command to sin no more is repentance. Jesus did not tell the woman that she could continue sinning, or that forgiveness absolves continuing sins. Jesus said to “sin no more.”

Jesus spoke of repentance on many occasions (Matt. 4:17; Matt. 11:20-24; Matt. 12:41-42; Mark 1:15; Luke 17:1-4; Rev. 3:19). Jesus says that death through persecution and tragedy is preferable to the judgment that comes upon those who do not repent (Luke 13:1-5). In Revelation, Christ told members of the church – “Christians” - to repent or else: He would remove the congregation’s lampstand (Rev. 2:5); He would fight against the evil doers with the sword of His mouth (Rev. 2:16); He would cast those who committed sexual immorality into a sickbed and great tribulation (Rev. 2:21-22); and He would come upon them in judgment as a thief in the night (Rev. 3:3). Like the woman caught in adultery, Christians cannot continue sinning. “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Vine’s says repentance, “In the NT … has reference to ‘repentance’ from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God” (cf. 2 Cor. 7:9-11).

How then would a thief repent of sin? Not simply by stopping his stealing, but also by returning or restoring that which he stole (Luke 19:8-9). As one man once said, “A horse thief has not repented while he is still sitting in my saddle.” Similarly, drunkards should stop drinking (1 Cor. 6:10). The materialistic should stop coveting (1 Cor. 6:10), and those committing sexual immorality of any form – whether pre-martial, extramarital, or homosexual – must end these activities and relationships as well (1 Cor. 6:9; Rev. 2:18-23).

Jesus says that a marriage relationship can be sinful if one party to that relationship is not free to remarry. “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality [“marital unfaithfulness” NIV], and marries another, commits adultery” (Matt. 19:9 NKJV; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). The wife and her new spouse are also guilty of adultery if she remarries (Matt. 5:32; Luke 16:18). Jesus said that sin attaches when the husband (or wife) “marries another.” Of course, a widow (or widower) is free to remarry (Rom. 7:3; 1 Cor. 7:10-11).

How then do we repent of an adulterous marriage? Stop sinning (John 8:11) by removing yourself from the unlawful marriage (Ezra 10:18-19, 44). These partners are not rightfully yours anymore than the saddle belonged to the horse thief. As Jesus said, “the one whom you now have is not your husband” (John 4:16-19).

Admittedly, ending a marriage with someone we love isn’t easy. The Apostles acknowledged that Jesus’ commandments on marriage, divorce, and remarriage are difficult (Matt. 19:10). Sin, however, is not defined by the attitudes of men and popular culture, but by God. Sin is defined as a violation of God’s law (1 John 3:4). Man may have passed laws regulating marriage, but God will judge us by His laws (John 12:48) A marriage certificate from the clerk of the court does not absolve a husband and wife of sin any more than a law permitting abortion absolves the doctor or pregnant mother of homicide in God’s sight.

Some who do not believe that a marriage can be sinful have a double standard where homosexuality is concerned. They have no difficulty saying that homosexuals must quit having sex, but they refuse to apply the same standard to unlawful marriages. Some draw a distinction between sexual activities and sexual relationships, saying that activities like homosexuality are sinful, but relationships, like marriage are not. Should we then say that homosexuals have the right to marry so long as they do not have sex? Jesus wouldn’t. Jesus said that relationships can be sinful. “Whoever divorces His wife and marries another commits adultery” (Luke 16:18). “Whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matt. 5:32).

The Disciples rightly understood that God’s expectations for marriage are demanding when they concluded, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry” (Matt. 19:10). If marriage relationships cannot be sinful, then all one would have to do to avoid sexual immorality is to marry their partner. If this is true, then why would the Disciples believe that Jesus’ commands were so difficult that, “it is better not to marry” (Matt. 19:10)?

Being a member of the body of Christ does not absolve us of continuing sins, including the sins of sexual immorality, unless we repent (Rev. 2:21-22) and resolve to “sin no more” (John 8:11).

Jesus Adultery Homosexuality Marriage Divorce & Remarriage MDR
Reprentance What Would Jesus Do? WWJD? Spring Warrior
Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ

Do any vestigial organs exist in humans?

Answers in Genesis has an archive article posted on its website entitled: Do any vestigial organs exist in humans? One of the useful tidbits of the article is its identification of various organs that scientists once believed were vestigial (or no longer of any use due to the "evolution" of our species). The list below came from Answer In Genesis' article and Wikipedia.

1. Adenoids
2. Appendix - The appendix is part of the immune system, strategically located at the entrance of the almost sterile ileum from the colon with its normally high bacterial content.
3. Body hair
4. Coccyx
5. Ear muscles for wiggling
6. Eye Brow
7. Eye Lash
8. Lachrymal glands
9. Nictitating membrane of eye
10. Nipples on males
11. Nodes on ears, "Darwin's points"
12. Parathyroid
13. Pineal gland - The pineal gland secretes malatonin which is a hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm and has other functions.
14. Pituitary gland
15. Plantaris muscle
16. Thymus - The thymus is part of the immune system, related to T-cells. HIV attacks T-cells, rendering them ineffective and for this reason is always eventually fatal.
17. Toes bones III, IV, V
18. Tonsils - The tonsils have a similar function in the entrance to the pharynx.
19. Valves in veins
20. Wisdom teeth

Answers in Genesis Creation Evolution Vestigial Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ

Jesus Would Judge Righteously

Jesus Would Judge Righteously
The Woman Caught In Adultery, Part I
By Bill Blue

In John 8, the scribes and the Pharisees (v. 3), seeking to test Jesus (v. 6), brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery (vv. 3-4), and asked the following question: “Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” (v. 5). Jesus responded by saying, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (v. 7). “Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one. . . . When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’” (vv. 9-11).

What are the lessons we can learn from this story? What does it say about sexual immorality; is adultery no longer a sin? Are we to conclude that it is wrong for Christians to judge behavior and condemn sin? Are there no longer any consequences to sin in the New Testament era? What would Jesus say?

JESUS WOULD NOT EXCUSE ADULTERY. Although Jesus said that He did not condemn the woman, she was unquestionably an adulteress (John 8:3-4). In other Scriptures, Jesus says that adultery is on par with things that are evil (Matt. 12:39) and wicked (Matt. 16:4), and, like murder, adultery defiles a man (Matt. 15:18-19). Jesus says that adultery is a sin that can cast you into hell (Matt. 5:27-30). Whatever the lessons of John 8 are, one cannot conclude that Jesus does not consider adultery a sin. Jesus, rather, unlike the scribes and the Pharisees, was not willing to condemn the woman to death by stoning.

JESUS DOES NOT CONDEMN JUDGING, BUT UNRIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. The woman in John 8 was an adulteress (John 8:3-4), but her accusers were not motivated by righteous judgment or disdain for sin, but a desire to test Jesus, “that they might have something of which to accuse Him” (John 8:6). The scribes and Pharisees sought to trap Jesus by His answer to their question. Jesus did not immediately answer the question, but gave the appearance of ignoring it (John 8:6). Not wanting Jesus to escape, the scribes and Pharisees repeated their question until Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” No one threw a stone and all of the woman’s accusers left her and Jesus alone (John 8:9-11). In their zeal to trap Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees had allowed their own improper motives to blind their judgment. With one statement (“He who is without sin among you…”), Jesus caused the woman’s accusers to be “convicted by their conscience” (John 8:7, 9).

Jesus’ statement to the accusers did not condemn judging, but caused the accusers to consider their own motives. The men came to realize that they were actually willing to kill a woman if necessary to discredit Jesus. Jesus did not fault the scribes and Pharisees for accusing the woman of adultery because the accusation was true. Rather, Jesus pointed out that the reason why they brought the adulteress to Jesus in the first place was hypocritical.

Jesus’ statement to the woman’s accusers is similar to His other teachings on judging:

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the
plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me
remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank
that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.
43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good
fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs
from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

(Luke 6:41-44; see also Matt. 7:1-5). Jesus does not condemn judging, but emphasizes the need for righteous, genuine, and sincere judgment (John 7:24; Rom. 2:1-3). One cannot know the difference between good and bad fruit without judging (Luke 6:43).

Matthew 7:1-2 is often misquoted by people who believe judging is unscriptural. “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Verse 2, however, emphasizes the importance of sincere, non-hypocritical judgment. Verse 6 goes on to show that judgment is required: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matt. 7:6). One cannot know who is a “dog” or “swine” without judging.

Righteous judgment is a necessary activity for a spiritually healthy Christian. The Christian first looks inward and judges himself (1 Cor. 11:28-29; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4), and removes “the plank from his own eye” (Luke 6:42). Then the Christian uses his judgment to avoid temptation and immoral and evil company (1 Cor. 5:9; 1 Cor. 15:33).

In next week’s article, we will examine Jesus’ statement to the, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:12).

Jesus Judging Others What Would Jesus Do? WWJD? Spring Warrior
Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ

Jesus Would Put God & Others First Through Selfless Love

Jesus Would Put God & Others First Through Selfless Love
By Bill Blue

What would Jesus say is the “greatest” commandment? Consider what He said:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:36-40).

Jesus and Paul say that these commands fulfill the whole law (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:27; Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14). Let’s consider why.

Love “does not seek its own” (1 Cor. 13:5). Love is not self-centered, but always puts God and others first (Matt. 22:37, 39). Jesus and the Apostles criticized those who loved the attention of others (Matt. 6:5, 23:5-7; Mark 12:38-39; Luke 11:43, 20:46-47; see also 3 John 1:9), loved material wealth (Matt. 6:24, 19:16-24; Luke 16:13; 1 Tim. 6:10; 2 Tim. 3:2-5), or otherwise put something or someone else ahead of Him (Matt. 10:37).

Christians are expected to put God first (Matt. 6:33). Jesus says our own lives must take a backseat to the love of God for us to inherit eternal life (John 12:25-26). Even the Ten Commandments direct our attention away from ourselves. The first four commandments deal with our relationship with God, and the last six prohibit us from mistreating others (Exodus 20:1-17).

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR (Matt. 22:40). Jesus taught the Apostles that, “all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Paul instructed the Romans to become “living sacrifices,” in part by being “kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Rom. 12:1, 10).

Jesus says that whomever we would want to have mercy on us, literally everyone, is our neighbor (Luke 10:29-37; Matt. 7:12). We should even love our enemies and those whom the world discriminates against (Matt. 5:43-46; Luke 6:27-35).

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD. Jesus said that those who love Him, and abide in His love, keep His commandments and those who do not keep His commandments do not love Christ (John 14:15, 21, 23-24; John 15:9-10, 14; 1 John 5:1-3; 2 John 1:5-6). The love of God is perfected in Christians when they keep God’s word (1 John 2:5, 4:12). Love is not sin (1 Cor. 13:4-7; Rom. 12:9), but rather covers a multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). We cannot choose the commands we want to follow and ignore the rest (James 2:8-11). Anyone “who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar” (1 John 2:4).

Thus, we cannot love God and hate our brother at the same time (1 John 2:4-11; 1 John 3:14-16; 1 John 4:20-21; Rom. 13:8-10) because He commands us to love one another (1 John 3:10-11, 23; 1 John 4:7-12; John 15:12, 17; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Pet. 3:8). If we love Jesus, we will care for the spiritual needs of our brethren (John 21:15-17) and bear with and forgive one another (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12-13).

Jesus says that love should compel us to be benevolent and do good to everyone (Luke 6:30-35). James says similarly that selfless benevolence is faith in action (James 2:14-20), and “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27). Thus, we cannot obtain love of God by keeping only the letter of the law. We must also fulfill its intent (1 John 3:17-18; Luke 11:42) and spirit (1 Cor. 13:1-3) through our actions (James 2:14-17).

Although we should love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-46) and do good to everyone (Gal. 6:10; Heb. 13:1-3), we are not to conform to the world around us, nor love the sins of this world because this makes us an enemy of God (1 John 2:15; James 4:4; Rom. 12:1-2). The distractions of the world can cause our love to grow cold (Matt. 24:12) and prevent believers from following Christ (John 12:42-43).

GOD LOVES YOU (2 Thess. 2:16; 1 John 3:1). He loves the whole world (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10) and is, “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9) and enjoy eternal life (John 3:16). The love of Christ (again keeping His commandments) makes us God’s children (John 8:42), and belief in Christ causes God to love us (John 16:27). “God works for the good of all who love Him,” and nothing can separate obedient believers from the love of God (Rom. 8:28, 31-29).

WE SHOULD FOLLOW JESUS’ EXAMPLE IN LOVE. John says that those who claim to abide in Christ should walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). In other words, we should follow His example (Eph. 5:2).

Even when His death was imminent, Jesus was preoccupied with the welfare of others. While hanging on the cross, He forgave those crucifying Him (Luke 23:34), He pardoned a thief dying next to Him (Luke 23:43), and He asked John to take care of His mother (John 19:26-27).

God loved Jesus because Jesus died willing for all humankind (John 10:17). Christ demonstrated His own love for God by obeying God’s will to sacrifice Himself (John 14:31; Eph. 5:2). “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:7-8 NIV; see also Eph. 2:4-5). Paul reminds us that because Christ died for us, His love compels us to live for Him (2 Cor. 5:14-15; Gal. 2:20).

LOVE IS THE PERFECT GIFT. Paul says love is the greatest gift (1 Cor. 12:31, 13:13). True selfless love towards God causes us to obey God’s word. Selfless love towards others demonstrates our love towards God. Thus, love fulfills God’s law (Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14). Keeping God’s commandments causes God to love and reward us (James 1:12, 2:5). “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

Jesus Love Benevolence What Would Jesus Do? WWJD? Spring Warrior
Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ

Jesus Would Not Divorce A Spouse For Any Reason Other Than Fornication

Jesus Would Not Divorce A Spouse For Any Reason Other Than Fornication

BY RANDY BAKER

Jesus, through the word of God, states that He has high expectations for us. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). We are blessed to have Jesus’ words for guidance so we can rightly handle difficult challenges.

When we’re facing a temptation to divorce a spouse, we may ask “what would Jesus do?” When listening to Jesus’ words, what pattern can we observe that would provide us guidance on how to handle this emotion-charged question?

Jesus spoke of divorce and remarriage during His sermon on the mount. “It was said also, ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement,’ but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery” (Matthew 5:31-32). According to Vine’s Dictionary, the word fornication means “illicit sexual intercourse,” any sexual relations with one who is not a proper marriage partner. What are we to learn from this passage? Jesus has a very limited view on what is acceptable divorce. Any reason for divorce, other than fornication, is wrong in Jesus’ sight. On judgment day, we certainly don’t want to be guilty of living in continual adultery with a partner that was not rightfully ours.

In Matthew 19, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about divorce. “And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, ‘Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?’ 4And he answered and said, ‘Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? 6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’ 7They say unto him, ‘Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?’ 8He saith unto them, ‘Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. 9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.’ 10The disciples say unto him, ‘If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.’ 11But he said unto them, ‘Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. 12For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it’” (Matt. 19:3-12).

Notice the surprise in the disciples’ response in verse 10. They knew this was a demanding teaching! Jesus goes on to say that many will not be willing to receive that truth, but it didn’t change His command. In verse 12, Jesus states that there will be some, who when they’ve understood this teaching, will realize they need to make themselves eunuchs to be acceptable to Him in the kingdom. Vine’s Dictionary states the word eunuch here means “voluntarily abstaining from wedlock.” One example application of verse 12 is a person who is married to a second mate and one (or both) of them was previously divorced for reasons other than the adultery/fornication that Jesus spoke of. The only way to heed Jesus’ strict teaching is to demonstrate repentance of the continuing sin of adultery that occurs when living with the wrong partner that is not theirs in God’s sight. They would need to discontinue this sin (and marriage) and make themselves eunuchs for the Lord’s sake, for obedience sake.

Jesus spoke of John the Baptist when He said “This is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee’” (Matthew 11:10). John’s position on divorce and remarriage was the same as Jesus’, and eventually John was beheaded for it. “For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18For John said unto Herod, ‘It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife’” (Mark 6:17). Herod had married a divorcee, but he and his new wife were unwilling to respond to the truth about the matter.

What does Jesus instruct about divorce? “He shows that the pattern from the beginning was to “leave father and mother” and “cleave” to our mate. He provides for only one allowance for divorce, and that is for the sake of fornication. He also shows that the price of repentance in this area is very high. “I hate putting away, saith Jehovah” (Malachi 2:16).

Jesus Adultery Fornication Marriage Divorce Remarriage Matt. 19:1-9 MDR
Marriage Divorce & Remarriage What Would Jesus Do? WWJD? Spring Warrior
Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ

Jesus Would Weep With Those Who Weep

JESUS WOULD WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP
BY JEFF HIMMEL

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

It’s the shortest verse in Bible, but those two words say a lot. In their context, they answer a very important question: How does God feel about my personal grief? Is He cold and disinterested toward my pain, or is He genuinely concerned? We don’t have to wonder.

Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus, in the town of Bethany, died of an illness. When Jesus arrived at Bethany four days later, Lazarus’ body was in the tomb and his family was still in mourning. And even though He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus mourned with them. The death of His beloved friend moved the Lord to tears; the villagers said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:36). He also wept out of sympathy for the pain of Mary and Martha, who had now lost their brother. Jesus felt the heartache of death as deeply as anyone else.

The writer of Hebrews says that in Jesus, “we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The Son of God has walked in our shoes. Because he fully partook of the human condition, with all its emotions and weaknesses, He has a unique ability to relate to us. Our Savior is not some distant, unfeeling entity; He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

The gospels speak of how Jesus was “moved with compassion” toward human need (cf. Matthew 9:36). “Moved” suggests not just feeling something, but doing something. His compassion caused Him to heal the sick (Matthew 14:14), feed the hungry (Mark 8:1-10), raise the dead (Luke 7:11-15), and teach those who were searching for spiritual guidance (Mark 6:34). When Divine sympathy saw human need, it took action.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion…” (Colossians 3:12). Being like Jesus means sharing His sympathy for those who are suffering. While these particular passages emphasize sympathy between fellow Christians, God also teaches us to have compassion toward all (Gal. 6:10), including those who might not do the same for us (consider the parable of the “good Samaritan” in Luke 10).

If we would be like Jesus, our compassion and sympathy must take us beyond mere feelings and words; they must move us to meet the needs we see. James wrote, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (James 2:15-16). Some have suggested that “Go in peace” here actually expresses a blessing or prayer to God, somewhat like saying, “I will pray for you” or “God bless you.” It’s great to express our concern and offer our prayers for those are suffering, but warm sentiments and prayers are not enough. Compassion for others means trying to meet their needs. That’s what Jesus would have done. John wrote, “But whoever has the world’s good, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:17-18).

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Right now you probably know someone who is suffering. Someone who has lost a loved one to death. Someone who is battling a long-term illness. Someone whose family is in crisis. Someone who is struggling with sin. In short, you know someone with a reason to cry. Cry with them. Express your compassion by finding a way to help. You may not be able to remove their load completely, but you can help them carry it. That’s what Jesus would do.

Jesus Mourn Spring Warrior Weep What Would Jesus Do? WWJD?
Christian Christianity Church of Christ Church of Christ