Divorce, children, wealth, and reward, these are the issues addressed in Matthew 19.
What are they really asking? Well, they are trying to trap Jesus, but at the heart of the trap is one issue. What do we have to do in order to keep God happy?
The scene changes, and children, not Pharisees, are held up by Jesus as model members of the Kingdom. A rich man wants to know what he must do to get eternal life. Jesus responds with how to build up eternal treasure. Finally the disciples try to impress Jesus with their own greatness. Here is his reply:
Now we've come to the heart of the matter. The Pharisees were arrogant in their "testing" of Jesus. The rich man viewed himself as quite righteous. The disciples prided themselves on their sacrifice and commitment to Jesus. Only the children were unimpressed with themselves. We all strive for significance. What we fail to understand is that greatness is found in service to others, not in being served. Treasure is accumulated through giving, not through hoarding. Significance is found in significant service, not in significant attention.
Father, I confess that sometimes I am a Pharisee. Sometimes I'm the rich man. Too often I'm the disciples saying, "Look what I've given up for you." Seldom am I truly the child or the servant. Thank you for your patience with me. Today, by your grace, may I serve.
Matthew 19:3, 7 NIV
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" . . . "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"
What are they really asking? Well, they are trying to trap Jesus, but at the heart of the trap is one issue. What do we have to do in order to keep God happy?
The scene changes, and children, not Pharisees, are held up by Jesus as model members of the Kingdom. A rich man wants to know what he must do to get eternal life. Jesus responds with how to build up eternal treasure. Finally the disciples try to impress Jesus with their own greatness. Here is his reply:
Matthew 19:30 NIV
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Now we've come to the heart of the matter. The Pharisees were arrogant in their "testing" of Jesus. The rich man viewed himself as quite righteous. The disciples prided themselves on their sacrifice and commitment to Jesus. Only the children were unimpressed with themselves. We all strive for significance. What we fail to understand is that greatness is found in service to others, not in being served. Treasure is accumulated through giving, not through hoarding. Significance is found in significant service, not in significant attention.
Father, I confess that sometimes I am a Pharisee. Sometimes I'm the rich man. Too often I'm the disciples saying, "Look what I've given up for you." Seldom am I truly the child or the servant. Thank you for your patience with me. Today, by your grace, may I serve.
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