Matthew 19:12 – Sex!

Matthew 19:12 “For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others — and there are how who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Today there are some people whose first definition of themselves is connected to the partner they choose as a sexual partner. Some of these people are part of the “alphabet” groups. But they have one thing in common. They choose their identity sexually. Sex seems to be the most important thing in their lives.

How do you define yourself? What is the first thing you say about yourself? Spouse, executive, mechanic, nurse, teacher, administrator?

Jesus is answering a question about divorce that was put before him in an attempt to put Him in a corner. The Pharisees, a very strict sect of Jews at that time, asked about the reasons that were acceptable for divorce. Jesus tells it straight: divorce leads to adultery for the one who remarries, a hard message for that day and ours.

If adultery has already taken place, then the non-participating partner in the affair, if they remarry, they are then breaking their vow to be sexually committed to one person. So if adultery has happened and remarriage takes place, then adultery is multiplied. Not the best representation of the holiness of God.

The disciples hear this message and draw a conclusion. It is better not to marry. That way no adultery happens. Their assumption is that people are sexual beings, and they will have sex. They don’t see any other alternative.

But Jesus steps back and says there is an alternative. We can choose to be sexually inactive and stay pure. We can put constraints on our own desires. We don’t have to follow them. We can choose a different path.

Jesus uses the example of eunuchs. There are people who are born with non-functioning sexual organs, those whose organs were made non-functioning at some point in life either accidentally or purposefully. But there is a third group, and it is this third group that has the most relevance for the disciples.

People can choose to not be sexually active. We have that power within us to resist those urges. Sexual activity is not the most important issue in our lives. There are other things that can and should take priority over that activity. Our sexual activity does not have to define us.

So what should be our first definition? What makes us different from other creatures? We are made in God’s image, and after His likeness. We have a unique role to play in this world.

No other creature stands in God’s place to rule and reign here on Earth. Just as the LORD rules and reigns in all the Universe, so we are placed here to reflect Him in the way we carry out our duties under His authority. Sex is included in that, but it is not the preeminent function. We are told to multiply and fill the earth, but this is secondary.

We have done a pretty good job of filling the earth with people, 7.8 billion so far. But how have we done at reflecting Him to each other? Has His holiness shown up in our lives, our societies, our cultures, our use of technology, our arts, our educational systems, our worship?

Maybe the best place to start in defining ourselves would be a statement that involves God’s definition of us. We are creatures made in His image. We place ourselves under His headship. He is the boss of our lives.

Maybe that would be a good place to start!