Jesus Goes to Judea
After Jesus finished teaching these things, he left the region of Galilee and traveled to the area of Judea on the far side of the Jordan River. Great numbers of people followed him there, and he healed all of them who were sick.
Teaching About Divorce
Some Pharisees approached Jesus to test him with a tricky question. "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" they asked. Jesus responded by turning their attention back to Scripture. "Haven't you read what God did from the very beginning? The Creator made people male and female, and he said, 'This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and the two become one flesh.' So they are no longer two separate people, but one flesh joined together. What God has united, no human being should tear apart." The Pharisees pressed him further. "Then why did Moses command that a man give his wife divorce papers and send her away?" Jesus explained, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts were stubborn and hard. But this was never God's original plan from the beginning. I'm telling you now that anyone who divorces his wife—except when she has been sexually unfaithful—and then marries someone else is committing adultery." When his disciples heard this teaching, they were troubled. "If this is how things stand between a husband and wife," they said to him, "then it's better not to get married at all." Jesus replied, "Not everyone can live by what I've just said—only those who have been given this ability. Some people are born unable to marry and have children. Others are made that way by other people. And still others choose to live this way for the sake of God's kingdom. Anyone who can accept this teaching should accept it."
Jesus Blesses the Little Children
People began bringing their little children to Jesus, hoping he would place his hands on them and pray for them. When the disciples saw this happening, they scolded the people who were bringing the children. But Jesus spoke up and said, "Let the little children come to me, and don't try to stop them! The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children." After Jesus had placed his hands on the children, he left that place and continued on his journey.
The Rich Young Man
A man approached Jesus and asked him, "Teacher, what good thing should I do so that I can have eternal life?" Jesus responded, "Why are you asking me what is good? Only God is truly good. If you want to have eternal life, obey the commandments." The man said, "Which commandments do you mean?" Jesus replied, "Do not kill anyone. Do not be unfaithful to your wife. Do not steal. Do not lie about others when you testify against them. Show respect and care for your father and mother. Love other people the same way you love yourself." The young man said, "I have obeyed all of these commands my whole life. What am I still missing?" Jesus told him, "If you want to be complete, go and sell everything you own. Give the money to poor people, and you will have riches stored up in heaven. Then come and follow me." When the young man heard these words, he walked away feeling deeply sad, because he owned many valuable things.
The Danger of Riches
After this encounter, Jesus turned to his disciples and spoke with deep seriousness. "I'm telling you the truth," he said, "it is extremely difficult for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of heaven. In fact, it would be easier for a camel to squeeze through the tiny eye of a sewing needle than for a rich person to enter God's kingdom." When the disciples heard these words, they were shocked and bewildered. "If that's true," they asked, "then who can possibly be saved?" Jesus looked directly at them with compassion. "For human beings, this is completely impossible," he replied. "But God can do anything." Peter, always quick to speak, responded eagerly. "Listen, we've given up everything we had to follow you. What will we get in return?" Jesus answered them with a profound promise. "I'm telling you the absolute truth. When everything is made new again, and when I, the Son of Man, take my place on my throne of glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones. You will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has abandoned their homes, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or property because of their loyalty to me will receive a hundred times more than they gave up. They will also inherit eternal life." Then Jesus added a final, striking truth that would echo through the ages: "But many who think they are first in line will find themselves last, and many who seem to be last will discover they are first."