Day 19 – September 25, 2026 – Matthew 19

There are a number of teachings here that are difficult for us to hear in our 21st century ears. The teaching on divorce, that we should not divorce except in the case of infidelity, is very difficult when more than 50% of our marriages end up in divorce. This is true both in the church and in society in general. It should not be, but it is. Jesus gives us the template on how we ought to treat and understand children. We are called to see children as those to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs. What a different way than to think that they should be seen and not heard as some might way.

We then are given a lesson on what it means to be a disciple. It isn’t enough just to be good enough. We actually have to relinquish all that is more important to us than God to God so that we can have eternal life. Being a disciple is not about following rules or giving things up. It is about understanding what Jesus has done for us on the cross and how living our lives can now be so different than what society tells us it should be.