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Matthew 19 Devotional: Explore Jesus’ teachings on marriage, divorce, and the blessing of children. Witness the encounter with the rich young ruler and discover why salvation is an impossible task for man but a gift of God’s grace.
Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Matthew Chapter 19. Today, the journey brings us into some of the most practical and challenging conversations of Jesus' ministry. He speaks to our most intimate relationships and our deepest attachments. Let us listen with humility, asking the Holy Spirit to show us where we are trusting in ourselves rather than in His grace.
Matthew Chapter 19 Introduction:
Matthew Chapter 19 Introduction:
The High Call of the Kingdom and the Needle's Eye
Matthew 19 begins with a confrontation. The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with questions about divorce, but He points them back to God’s original design at Creation—reminding us that marriage is a holy union joined by God. We then see the heart of the Savior as He rebukes His disciples to welcome the little children. The chapter concludes with the famous story of the rich young ruler, a man who followed the rules but could not surrender his wealth. Jesus uses this to teach a startling truth: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the Kingdom of God.
What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see the necessity of God’s grace for salvation. As your Statement of Faith affirms, we believe that human beings fell into sin and are in need of redemption. The rich young ruler thought he could earn his way into heaven by "doing good," but Jesus exposed that his heart was tied to his possessions. When the disciples asked in despair, "Who then can be saved?", Jesus gave the definitive answer for every believer: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Our salvation is not a reward for our bank accounts or our perfect behavior; it is a gift received through faith in Christ alone. Whether in our marriages, our parenting, or our finances, we are called to a life of total surrender to the One who made the "impossible" possible for us.
Bible Verse
Bible Verse
Divorce
Divorce
19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
The Little Children and Jesus
The Little Children and Jesus
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Prayer
Prayer
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." As we enter into prayer, let us come with that same childlike trust, knowing that our Father delights to hear the voices of those who depend entirely on Him.
Prayer Theme: "With God All Things Are Possible"
Prayer Theme: "With God All Things Are Possible"
Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You as the Creator of all things and the sovereign Lord of our lives. We believe that Your Word is the final authority for our faith and our conduct. Thank You for the gift of marriage and the blessing of children; we ask for Your grace to honor these relationships in a way that reflects Your love for the Church.
Lord, I confess that like the rich young ruler, I often hold onto things—my comfort, my plans, or my possessions—more tightly than I hold onto You. Search my heart today and show me what I am afraid to surrender. I thank You that my salvation does not depend on my ability to be "perfect," but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. When I feel overwhelmed by the high calling of the Gospel, remind me that what is impossible for me is possible for You. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live a life of sacrificial love and service.
We pray for the marriages in our community, asking for healing, reconciliation, and steadfastness in a world that often devalues the marriage covenant. We lift up the children in our midst, asking that they would grow up knowing the warmth of Your embrace and the truth of Your Word. We pray for those who are struggling with the "idols" of wealth and success; may they find the true treasure that only You can provide. We ask that Your universal Church would be a place where the "last" are put "first," demonstrating the beauty of Your Kingdom to a watching world. Amen.
Daily Application Question
Daily Application Question
The rich young ruler walked away sad because he had "great possessions." Is there something in your life today that feels too "great" to give up for the sake of following Jesus more closely?
Frequently Asked Questions about Matthew 19
Frequently Asked Questions about Matthew 19
What is Jesus teaching about divorce? Jesus reaffirms the lifelong commitment of marriage as established in Genesis. He teaches that marriage is a divine union ("what God has joined") and warns against breaking that bond, pointing us back to God’s heart for faithfulness and reconciliation.
Why did Jesus say it’s hard for a rich person to enter heaven? Wealth often creates a false sense of self-sufficiency. It is not that money itself is evil, but that the love of money often replaces trust in God, making it difficult for a person to realize their desperate need for a Savior.
What does it mean to "sit on twelve thrones"? Jesus is promising His apostles a unique role of authority and honor in the coming Kingdom as a reward for their sacrifice. It serves as an encouragement to all believers that any earthly sacrifice made for Christ will be repaid a hundredfold in eternity.
Thank you for joining us for Matthew 19. May you walk today with the freedom of one who knows that salvation is a gift, not a burden. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew Chapter 20.
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