What Did Jesus Say About Homosexuality?
God’s thoughts on the matter were set in stone at the onset of his covenantal relationship with the Jews. His views did not change by the first century AD when Jesus engaged his audience. If anything he provided them with a fuller meaning of the texts. Jesus didn’t have to speak about the practice of homosexual marriage to that audience as it was already presupposed that marriage was heterosexual, and sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage was condemned. Besides, there was no such thing as “gay marriage or a gay agenda” in Jesus’ time. Considering the law put forth the penalty for homosexual practices, one would say that the community kept it together. Jesus however, acknowledged that some people would (1) “lack the capacity to have sexual relations from birth,” (2) be castrated and therefore lack the ability for sexual relations, and (3) for the sake of the kingdom, become celibate.”[1] He was in no way speaking about being born gay as often referenced in Matthew 19:11-12).
Furthermore, marriage is an institution between a man and a woman (Mat. 19:4-6). It is important to establish this. “From the beginning, the plan was male and female,” (Gen. 2:24) not male and male. Suggesting that marriage should extend to gays is a complete disregard for God’s original plan. “For Jesus, male-female distinctions expressed aspects of the image of God and were the foundation of God’s order and basis for marriage.”[2]
Lastly, consider the continuity of Christ’s commands throughout redemptive history: To the Jews God explicitly said, “You shall not do…” (Lev. 18:1-6). To the New Testament audience, Jesus affirmed his authority as God (Jn. 14:9), later delivering explicit commands on sexual acts outside of marriage (Mk. 7:21-22; Mat. 15:18-20). Different times, same message. The word on homosexuality has not changed; it is still a sin. Both Jesus and the apostle Paul encouraged heterosexual marriage, but acknowledged that some would choose/be assigned a different path (not born gay) and that those who are married, they can expect challenges (Mat. 19:10; 1 Cor. 7). But just in case anyone should miss both the Old Testament commands and Jesus’ words, the apostle Paul posits that the practice of homosexuality is un-natural, leading to depraved minds (Rom. 1:26-32). It is within this depraved context that the gay community attempts to justify their actions.
References
[1] Michael L. Brown, Can You Be Gay And Christian: Responding With Love And Truth to Questions About Homosexuality, (Lake Mary, FL: Frontline, 2014), 134-136.
[2] Ibid., 133.
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Written by Dr. Kevin A. Hall