Hardened hearts seem to be one theme running through this Chapter. Hearts hardened toward spouses, children, and God’s commands.
Earlier this morning I was asking God if there was something I could do that would help me grow closer to Him that I wasn’t already doing. I know that I need to read my Bible and spend time in prayer and reflection, and I am aware of the value of serving others in spiritual development. What I wanted to know was “is there anything else I can do that will expedite the discipleship process?” God hasn’t answered that directly, to the best of my knowledge….but I suspect that part of the answer is in this passage. One of the best things we can do to facilitate spiritual growth is to stay teachable and humble.
The men inquiring about divorcing their wives were more interested in themselves than in the women they had pledged to care for. I don’t know of any marriage ceremony that is considered temporary. These men were sloughing their responsibility to care for their wives, most likely so they could indulge themselves in other ways.
If I were to skip down to the rich young man who went away sad because of his wealth, it would tie in directly to the above thought. So why put the paragraph about children between the two? The disciples were shooing the kids away from Jesus and He scolded them for it. What’s the connection to the other two passages? Why did Matthew think it belonged here?
I think it’s because Matthew was trying to communicate humility, teachability (not a word) and obedience. The disciples aren’t really at fault here, there hearts aren’t hardened, and they quickly obey what Jesus told them to do. Jesus is simply using the current situation to help his disciples and the audience to understand the more adult conversation he had previously. Children listen and obey (usually). They intuitively know they lack complete understanding, and they inherently trust adults to care for them and help them. We have to teach the children not to get into a car with a stranger, or they would, because even though the person isn’t known, they are an adult, and adults help children. That’s the naive perspective of the child. But in spiritual circumstances, that same naive understanding is a great advantage. In Christ, our Father is always ready to help, and can always to trusted. Whatever comes from God’s mouth or God’s hand is good for us in the end, even if it doesn’t seem to be so at the moment. It’s always foolish to refuse to follow God, or to resist His instruction.
The hardened heart pushes God away, the spiritual sensitive heart allows God access, even if it is perceived to be uncomfortable or unpleasant, because we know our Father, and we trust that He is Good.
The children were an excellent illustration of dependence and trust, and that is exactly what Jesus says we need in order to grow closer to Him.
That thought takes us to the rich young man. And while there are probably many lessons to learn, the key one for me, for today, is that he didn’t trust God. He wasn’t teachable. He asked a question about what he needed to do, and then when God answered he chose not to follow.
How ironic that I would read this passage today, after asking God almost the exact same thing! So my prayer today (and I hope that you can pray this with me) is that I will be completely teachable, humble, dependent and trusting in the Lord when he gives me further instruction. And, that I will quickly obey without arguing, pouting or resisting in any way. After all, I trust that God is Good, and whatever He wants for me is even better than what I could want for myself.
Trusting Jesus,
PR