Today’s passage: Matthew 19:1-12
Helpful thoughts:
- The Pharisees asked Jesus these questions about marriage and divorce to test Him. They were hoping to catch Him in a fault. Think about this: The Pharisees were excited to argue with Jesus about their supposed freedom to divorce people…
- John the Baptist had been arrested and eventually beheaded by Herod for calling him out for his divorce and remarriage.
- The Pharisees also utilized/abused the law to their own selfish advantage (?) and were known to be quick to divorce their wives, as if it were a necessary thing for righteousness.
- Jesus successfully upheld the law, then showed the Pharisees’ hearts to be hard and pointed out their own adultery.
Questions to consider:
- What must the condition of marriage have been in the culture for the disciples to say, “It is better not to marry.”?
- What did God intend for marriage to be? The partners? The length of time? (Vs. 4-6)
- Does a person have to be married to enjoy life and be useful for the kingdom of God? In what way does Jesus show that singleness would even be preferable?
- What was the source of the Pharisees’ questions? When we ask what all we can get away with, what are we actually doing? Where is our heart?