DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-03-10
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 19:3; 7; 10;
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 3 Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
7 The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why did Moses say a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?”
10 The disciples said, “If that’s how it is between a man and a woman, it’s better not to get married.”

APPLICATION: In their attempt to test Jesus, the one in whom they had very little respect or confidence, the Pharisees thought to ask Him controversial questions – probably on subjects that they struggled with themselves. This story made me think of a personal example – I remember my wife questioning an elderly relative about why she was asking questions for which she already knew the answers. Her response was enlightening – ‘I am pretending to be ignorant, in order to gain wisdom’!! I wonder if this is what the Pharisees were trying to do? Surely they had an answer to these questions, but perhaps they wanted to see if Jesus’ line of thinking was any different to theirs! However, putting all of the above aside, I believe that today we may look at this story and wish that we had such wisdom available to us today. And friends, this is what I feel like God wants to address through this Scripture today. You see, in all His wisdom, God knew that we would be no different to the Pharisees or anyone else that sought Him out while His Son, Jesus, walked this earth. So God left two important helps for us:

1. His Holy Spirit: Jesus referred to this important part of the trinity as ‘The Comforter’, but I believe we can easily see throughout the Word of God that He is also our Director; our Guide; our Wisdom and our closest Friend. He lives inside of us, so of course we could call on Him with any puzzling question we may have, no matter where we are at. Will He know the answer to all of life’s challenging questions? Why of course, for He is also God. For the unbeliever who may read this and wonder how you could tap into this miraculous wonder: God sent us His very precious Son so that anyone who believes in Him might be saved. With this salvation, comes the awesome gift from God the Father – His divine Holy Spirit. Being ‘plugged in’ to this Triune Godhead is something that every Christian can claim! Accept Jesus as Your savior today and receive your heavenly Helper today, my unbelieving friends!
2. His Holy Word: Perhaps you were surprised to read today’s Scripture and see that ‘divorce’ was covered in the Bible. I am convinced that everything else is also covered in this invaluable resource given to us by our Father in Heaven. A Google search is very powerful, but it’s nothing compared to the official Word of God that He left for us. Yes, your pastor, elder, deacon or friend could do your homework for you and give you the answers to your many questions, but why not look for yourself? There is something uniquely rewarding to meeting with God each day as you open His Word! There is so much that we could learn, and so much value in building an intimate relationship with our Creator!

But to top this whole message off, Jesus gave His disciples a few conditions that would generate supreme trust in the Almighty God. I went with a group of missionaries from my church to Mexico for a week. Other than finances, the next greatest challenge was in packing minimally as space would be limited on flights and in the vans used for ground transportation. So can you imagine trying to ‘GO’ under the restrictions ordered by Jesus in (1) noted above in our Scripture? Homes were opened to accommodate the missionaries, as there were no provisions for commercial accommodations, if any existed. This has become a huge problem today, as most church members will refuse to have a missionary or visiting preacher in for a meal, much less opening their home to one. I trust that you can appreciate the difference. Most of us will do everything possible to be accepted by the townspeople in which we minister. But what do you do if you are not accepted? Jesus knew this would happen and probably disappoint His disciples, just as it would impact us, so He prepared us in advance in (3) above for such an unfortunate event. Bible scholars will tell you that Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to go some foreign place and, when you get – tell and heal. But instead, He told them in their language that as they GO, tell and heal. It is so important that we represent God and tell the Good News everywhere we find ourselves, not just at one specific building, street corner, country or city. As you go each day, brothers and sisters, in every way possible, tell the story of Jesus and His love for everyone you meet, God being your helper and guide.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus has the answers to all of life’s questions, and He holds the key to Eternal Life.

PRAYER: Blessed be the name of the Lord! For Jesus is faithful and true and will forgive us of our sin, while also answering all of our questions each and every day. Without Jesus, we are merely wandering around this earth without an eternal plan, and without a proper Guide, Protector and Trusted Friend. Lord, teach us to use the brains that You have blessed us with, and to accept the gift offered to us by our amazing God. For those of us who have already bent the knee in humility and surrendered our lives to You, please teach us every day, for we have so many questions. Also help us to be a giving and sharing people, willing to share You – our source of help, with all those we come into contact with. You are Lord, and besides You, there is no other. You created us, and You have answers to all of our questions. Please teach us to surrender our will to Your almighty hand and guidance. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!