What Did Jesus Say About It?
by J. W. Jepson, D.Min.
copyright © 2006 by J. W. Jepson
All rights reserved, including the right to grant the following permission and to prohibit the misuse thereof:
The Author hereby grants permission to reproduce the text of this article, without changes or alterations*, as a ministry, but not for commercial or non-ministry purposes.
*Permission is given for publication of excerpts and condensed versions.
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I once was asked to join a panel of area clergy assembled to address a religion class at Eastern Washington University.
During the question-and-answer time, a student addressed a question about homosexuality to a panelist seated next to me. A man of admitted liberal views, my fellow-panelist replied that Jesus said nothing about homosexuality.
The same student then asked about premarital sex (a subject much on the minds of many students). My co-panelist responded first, taking the stock liberal position that premarital sex is acceptable if it is part of "a loving and caring relationship."
When asked for my response, I noted that the "loving and caring relationship" just mentioned is clearly defined in Scripture as marriage and that premarital sex is sin.
In nominal Christianity the notion is widespread that if Jesus said nothing about a subject, we have no divine authority on that subject, no matter what the rest of the Bible says about it.
Perhaps we should face this issue head-on. What did Jesus say?
True, the Lord said nothing by name about homosexuality and homosexual behavior. He also said nothing by name about bigamy and polygamy. For that matter, He said nothing by name about cannibalism!
But that does not mean that Jesus said nothing. Our Lord spoke, and He spoke with authority.
Let's examine one of His statements. It was in response to a question by the Pharisees about divorce. Both Matthew and Mark record it. Here it is in Matthew:
"Haven't you read," He replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).
First, Jesus said, "Haven't you read ...?" Here and elsewhere our Lord affirmed the absolute authority of The Scriptures. "The Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4). "Sanctify them by the truth: your word is truth" (John 17:17).
Some might reply that Jesus was referring to the Jewish Scriptures, commonly called the Old Testament. What about the Epistles and other New Testament writings?
Jesus told His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. "The Holy Spirit ... will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I said to you" (John 14:26).
The Holy Spirit would inspire them to set down a full and accurate record of Himself. Thus Jesus validated the gospels. The Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. Thus Jesus validated the Acts, the Epistles and the Revelation.
Jesus Christ also affirmed the authority of the apostles: "If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also" (John 15:20). Though Paul was not one of the Twelve, he too received his authority directly from the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:11, 12).
This should settle the question of biblical authority for anyone who claims to accept the authority of Jesus Christ.
What else did Jesus say in His answer to the Pharisees?
"At the beginning the Creator ...." Jesus cut through all the polygamy and other degenerate deviations of patriarchal and other ancient times. He went clear back to the beginning, back to God's established order. In so doing He confirmed that what God had created still stands and is in full effect--established throughout all generations.
God created us male and female. Jesus confirmed it. That rules out all homosexual behavior as a violation of God's natural, moral and governmental order in human creation and relationships.
God said the two would be one flesh. Jesus confirmed that also. That rules out bigamy and polygamy (including so-called "plural marriages") and for the same reason.
God also said (and Jesus confirmed) that a man is to leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. He did not say to leave father and mother and go live with his girlfriend.
Jesus ruled out all deviate and subhuman forms of sexual behavior in human sexuality by affirming the authority and sanctity of God's established order.
Marriage is God's idea, not ours. Marriage is God's property. It does not belong to us; it belongs to God. We cannot do what we wish with marriage, including our marriages.
God upholds monogamous, heterosexual marriage and protects it by natural and moral sanctions--sanctions that people violate only with the severest of consequences, both in this life and in the next.
God upholds marriage because it is vital to the well-being of society. Marriage as God ordained it is beautiful. It is the source of immense human good and happiness. Its violation destroys that good and brings grief and misery.
That is why God forbids the violation of marriage. He is not trying to take away our happiness; rather, He is protecting our happiness. He loves us and desires that we honor and enjoy His gift. In this, as in everything, Jesus is in full agreement with the Father.
By our words and by our example, let us celebrate marriage as God created it and gave it to us. It is one of His greatest blessings in this life.