Matthew 19 Devotional0

Matthew 19:1-12

• Think about the loss, destruction and pain released into the world by one couple’s divorce.  Considering the immense personal pain involved (not to mention pain and damage to others), why do people get divorced?  What does this show about the human condition?
• Reflect on the words, “because your hearts were hard.  But it was not this way from the beginning.”  What does this reveal about how God works within the reality of man’s sinfulness in continually striving to shape his people toward his will?

Matthew 19:13-26

• What can I learn about the kingdom of heaven from the fact that it belongs to “the little children”?
• What does the man’s question “what good things must I do to get eternal life” reveal about his view of the kingdom of heaven?  How is this similar to the disciples who rebuked those who brought the children?
• Why must Jesus address the issue of wealth and what does this say regarding what it takes to “get eternal life”?
• What is so tragic about the way this young man responded to Jesus’ invitation to follow him?
• What are the forms of wealth that I need to surrender in order to follow Jesus?

Matthew 19:27-29

“It is always true that the Christian will receive far more than ever he has to give up; but what he receives is not new material possessions, but a new fellowship, human and divine.”[1]

“In distinction from the rich young man who has turned away, any who examine themselves and give up their own little gods to follow Jesus in discipleship, whether that little god is family or possessions or territory, will receive the reward of the full realization of their inheritance of eternal life. “[2]

• What have I “left … to follow [Jesus]”?
• Jesus says that whoever leaves his brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  What does this reveal about what God truly wants for us?
• In what way have I experienced receiving “a hundred times as much” through the surrendering of “houses,” “fields,” “brothers or sisters or father or mother or children” for Jesus’ sake?

Additional Questions:

Matthew 19:4-6

• To what source of authority does Jesus turn in answering their question about divorce?
• In what ways can reading about what God wanted “at the beginning” clarify many issues in my life?
• Reflect on the words “male and female,” “a man,” “his wife,” “the two,” “one flesh,” “no longer two,” and “let man not separate.”  What basic truths about God’s original design for marriage emerge from these words?

Matthew 19:13-15

“Jesus once again turns prevailing societal values on their head to show that the low position of children in society illustrates the humility necessary for entrance into the kingdom of God (19:14; see comments on 18:1-5). Childlikeness is not only a prerequisite for entrance to the kingdom but is also a necessary lifetime characteristic for Jesus’ disciples. As weak, defenseless, vulnerable children, they must continue to maintain dependence on their heavenly Father for the purpose, power, and significance of their life of discipleship.”[3]

• What may have been the psychology of the disciples as they “rebuked those who brought [the children]”?
• What is revealed about the disciples’ self-understanding and their view of Jesus through this?
• What can I learn about the kingdom of heaven from the fact that it belongs to “the little children”?
• To what degree have I been shaped by these values of the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 19:23-24

“…wealth is a heady intoxicant, because it provides most of the counterfeits that fool a person into thinking he or she does not need God.”[4]

“…one should be careful of the ‘deceitfulness of wealth.’  This passage does not suggest that wealth is wrong, however, but it does suggest that there is something about wealth that can choke off the effectiveness of the gospel and keep one from entering the kingdom.”[5]

• What is it about riches that makes it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven?
• What warning about wealth do I need to heed?

Matthew 19:30

“Jesus turned the world’s values upside down.  Consider the most powerful or well-known people in our world—how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing, and gentle? Not many! But in the life to come, the last will be first—if they got in last place by choosing to follow Jesus.  Don’t forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits.  Be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later.  Be willing to accept human disapproval, while knowing that you have God’s approval.”[6]

• Why would v. 30 be true?
• How does v. 30 compare/contrast with the world’s values?
• What kind of long-term perspective of my life do I need in order to live out this truth?

[2] Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 652.

[3] Wilkins, Michael J. “Matthew”, The NIV Application Commentary. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 646.

[4] Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 650.

[5] Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 658.

[6] Life Application Study Bible, study notes (co-published by Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1991) 1693.