Thursday, February 7 - Matthew 19

Thursday February 7^th

19: 1-12     The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus into contradicting the Law, and Jesus reaffirms the definition of marriage in this section. Who brings two people together in marriage? Who has the power to dissolve marriage?

 God allowed divorce among the people because of their hardness of heart. Does this mean that it was His will? What is the difference between God’s allowance of divorce and His willing of it?

 

Is it the will of God for every person to be married, based on this text?

 

19:13-15     What place do little children have in the kingdom of God?

 Does v. 14 tell us anything about our Lutheran practice of infant baptism?

 

19:16-30     The rich young man in this text claims to have kept all the commandments. Think about self-righteousness and the quest for salvation. Do you find yourself tending to rely on your own intuition, or do you trust God to save you?

 Jesus asks the man to do something really difficult: sell everything he has, give to the poor, and follow Him. Has anyone ever asked you to do something really difficult? What was it, and how did you respond?

 Does this text imply that it is impossible for rich men to be saved? (see vv. 24 and 26). What does Jesus mean by “a rich man?”