As we enter into today’s passage, we see Jesus and His followers departing the northernmost region of Israel (Galilee), and slowly making their way south towards Jerusalem. With large crowds still following Jesus, He continues to teach. Prompted by the Pharisees to discuss the topics of marriage and divorce, Jesus, reflecting on Genesis 2:18-25, reveals the Father’s heart for the relationship between a husband and wife. Oh, that our hearts were as tender as God’s in this regard!
It seems a large majority of teaching in this small section of Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus responding to questions or situations that are posed to Him (with a variety of motives from the questioners). The topics Jesus instructs on are therefore a bit random, and in addition to marriage & divorce, include children and their relationship to the kingdom of God, eternal life and its relationship to the things that are often most important to us, and places of honor in the kingdom of heaven (& how our kingdoms here on earth often operate with the very opposite values). Jesus continues using parables to illustrate kingdom truths, and He continues to heal as well. Praise the LORD for Jesus, our True Teacher & our Great Physician—may He be pleased to teach & heal us in similar ways!
Reflect: In what ways might our LORD be instructing you as you read these passages? In what ways do you need the healing that only Jesus can provide? Spend a few moments humbling yourself before Him, asking Him to do the work that only He can.
Connect: In our text, Jesus and His disciples are approaching Jerusalem. In Old Testament times, when Jewish pilgrims approached Jerusalem for annual feasts and festivals of worship, they sang what are known as the “Songs of Ascent,” which are Psalms 120-134. If you have extra time this LORD’s Day to spend in God’s Word, might I suggest reading through them in their entirety? If you don’t find yourself with that much time, allow me to suggest Psalm 121, or feel free to pick one of your favorites.
Psalm 121
– Rev. John McCombs