Matthew 19
July Memory Verse: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Read: Matthew 19
Our passage today reminds me of how wicked the human heart really is. Up to this point in the Gospel of Matthew, we have seen Jesus heal people, perform miracles, and teach with astounding wisdom (Sermon on the Mount, parables, etc.). And up to this point, some people have ridiculed and rejected Jesus, while others have become followers of His.
Well in our passage, we see the wicked hearts of those who do not have a relationship with Jesus and those who do have a relationship with Jesus.
The first set of wicked hearts we see is in verse 3. The Pharisees asked Jesus a question to test Him. They didn’t ask a question because they really wanted to know the answer. Instead, they wanted to see if they could trap Him. Here is how we know: the Pharisees prided themselves in knowing the Old Testament, especially the first 5 books that Moses wrote. They asked a question that they knew the answer to. Jesus’ response in verse 4 goes back to Genesis, a verse I am sure the Pharisees knew. They were testing the Son of God, not so they could have the right answer but so they could later crucify Him.
The second set of wicked hearts happens in verse 13b. The disciples rebuked people for bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples did not see the children as significant for Jesus’ work. But Jesus rebukes the disciples and invites the children to come to Him (v. 14).
The last wicked heart we see is in the Rich Young Ruler. He asked the right question to the right person, but he did not have the right heart. He cared more about his material possessions than knowing the Son of God (v. 21-22).
It is easy for us to sit here and be critical of what we read in Matthew 19, not realizing we do the same thing.
We put Jesus to the test. We say things like, “Jesus, are you sure this is really a sin?” or “Maybeeeee I didn’t act right in handling that situation.” We do not see people as “worthy” of being saved by the Gospel and so we rebuke them (maybe not publicly, but in our minds). And we care about the material possessions we can obtain (house, clothes, etc.) and what those bring (status, comfort, safety, etc.).
But let us be thankful for the Gospel. Our wicked hearts can be restored, but only through the blood of the Cross.
By: Brice Stockton
Read: Matthew 19
Our passage today reminds me of how wicked the human heart really is. Up to this point in the Gospel of Matthew, we have seen Jesus heal people, perform miracles, and teach with astounding wisdom (Sermon on the Mount, parables, etc.). And up to this point, some people have ridiculed and rejected Jesus, while others have become followers of His.
Well in our passage, we see the wicked hearts of those who do not have a relationship with Jesus and those who do have a relationship with Jesus.
The first set of wicked hearts we see is in verse 3. The Pharisees asked Jesus a question to test Him. They didn’t ask a question because they really wanted to know the answer. Instead, they wanted to see if they could trap Him. Here is how we know: the Pharisees prided themselves in knowing the Old Testament, especially the first 5 books that Moses wrote. They asked a question that they knew the answer to. Jesus’ response in verse 4 goes back to Genesis, a verse I am sure the Pharisees knew. They were testing the Son of God, not so they could have the right answer but so they could later crucify Him.
The second set of wicked hearts happens in verse 13b. The disciples rebuked people for bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples did not see the children as significant for Jesus’ work. But Jesus rebukes the disciples and invites the children to come to Him (v. 14).
The last wicked heart we see is in the Rich Young Ruler. He asked the right question to the right person, but he did not have the right heart. He cared more about his material possessions than knowing the Son of God (v. 21-22).
It is easy for us to sit here and be critical of what we read in Matthew 19, not realizing we do the same thing.
We put Jesus to the test. We say things like, “Jesus, are you sure this is really a sin?” or “Maybeeeee I didn’t act right in handling that situation.” We do not see people as “worthy” of being saved by the Gospel and so we rebuke them (maybe not publicly, but in our minds). And we care about the material possessions we can obtain (house, clothes, etc.) and what those bring (status, comfort, safety, etc.).
But let us be thankful for the Gospel. Our wicked hearts can be restored, but only through the blood of the Cross.
By: Brice Stockton
4 Comments
I appreciate your thoughts today Brice. I was going to say something about how marriage is a concept in the Bible that has deeper meaning, and how the Bible reveals it to be an illustration of Christ's relationship to His church.
I think that helps me understand why divorce is rarely acceptable.
All our hearts are desperately wicked. It is only through the compassion and grace of God that we can find salvation. Thank you Father for being so patient and long suffering. Thank you for your love and mercy. I deserve none of it.
Sorry, I didn’t have time to post yesterday, but wanted to let you know how much I appreciate this post. I should always look at myself first and ask the Lord to reveal my sinfulness, and not justify through others. Thank you Brice!
Oops! Sorry! I thought I was reading yesterday’s-obviously confused. Anyways, I really appreciate your words of wisdom!