Bible Reading: Joshua 11; Psalm 144; Jeremiah 5; Matthew 19
Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
A eunuch is a castrated male in the most literal sense. Jesus here is answering a question about marriage from his disciples. When they heard that a man who divorces his wife for any cause other than fornication and marries another woman is committing adultery they reasoned that it was not good to marry. Jesus however, does not say that. He says that when it comes to marriage, there are some who it would be good for them not to marry.
There are those who are born eunuchs from their mother's womb. These people are born without the desire (or possibility the ability) to be married. Jesus is not here saying these people do not desire the opposite sex. He is saying they are born not desiring to be sexually active, period. There are others who are made eunuchs by men. The ancient world mutilated men who were in charge of their harems. We see several of these men in scripture. The last group that Jesus mentions is those who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. These people have chosen to remain celibate so they can more fully serve Jesus Christ.
This is not something that can be imposed upon someone else. Herein is the great disaster of the pedophilia in many Roman Catholic priests. These men have been forced to choose a lifestyle that they are 'not able to receive'. Paul was a man who had chosen a celibate lifestyle to better serve Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
Please notice that he here says each person has their own gift from God. This is the same word used to describe 'spiritual gifts' elsewhere in Scripture. If you don't have the gift, you must marry. A person who has this gift is able to give one hundred percent of their attention to serving Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:32-33 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
If you are a married person, thank God for your husband or wife. If you are a young person seeking God's will, realize that there is a spiritual gift that Jesus gives to some who are able to live a celibate life to serve him. If you don't have that gift, rejoice because God has a husband or wife for you!
In Christ,
Rody
