Matt 19 — Teaching on Divorce, The Rich Young Ruler
Matt 20 — Laborers in the Vineyard, A Mother’s Request
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
The Pharisees enter the discussion again, trying to trip Jesus up with their great knowledge: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Matthew 19:3) I don’t think they really listened to Jesus reply, they already had their follow-up question, “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” (19:7). As usual, Jesus responds to their technical question by providing a much deeper and thoughtful response: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning” (19:8). The Pharisees remain stuck in the details of their laws and continue to unable to see there are reasons beyond their long list of rules. But Jesus is gracious and continues to explain then concludes this section with, “The one who can accept this should accept it” (19:12). In other words, some of us will simply not understand, move on!
The discussion about the rich and the kingdom of God is quite convicting. We are rich, and we routinely associate with those who are extravagantly rich. Can we all pass the test of 19:21?: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” How many of use will read these words and react, “when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth” (19:22). God help us to let go of the possessions you have allowed us to have anytime they become a stumbling block.