Day 24: Matthew 19 | 2026 Lenten Reading Plan

Thank you for joining us for the twenty third reading in our Lenten Reading Plan. Find all the resources you need below: Read Matthew 19 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2019&version=ESV Listen to Matthew 19: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ac4826f1 Download your own Lenten Reading Plan Bookmark: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Bookmark-2601-PRINT-at-home.pdf Download the 2026 Lenten Reading Plan Study Guide: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Study-Guide-2511.pdf Matthew Chapter 19 opens with Jesus teaching about divorce, not as a checklist of loopholes to end marriage guilt-free, but as recognition that when two become one flesh, breaking apart hurts. Divorce is called sin not to make hurting people feel worse, but to acknowledge they need compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. Whether married or divorced, take your sins to Jesus. If divorced, receive His forgiveness and healing. You're more than something broken. Jesus makes all things new. Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me," not because they're innocent or trusting, but because they're helpless. When everything's broken and falling apart, you receive God's kingdom even in that state. You're never too broken or sinful for Jesus to save. We struggle when we try doing it ourselves, but Jesus saves only sinners. When Jesus tells the rich young man it's easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for the rich to enter God's kingdom, it's not that money condemns. Rather, wealth brings power, and nobody likes feeling helpless. With great wealth, we believe we don't need anyone, not even God. It's the oldest idolatry: How can I not need God? God's love is measured in a cross and empty tomb. We're the sinners Jesus saves: the little children and even the too-rich included. The measurement of salvation isn't your wealth or success, but this: Has Jesus died for you? Has He risen? Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #lent If you have questions or topics that you'd like discussed on Higher Things, email them to content@higherthings.org Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: http://youtube.com/@HTgospel4all To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://higherthings.org/morehi/giving/ For more information about Higher Things, go to http://higherthings.org ------ Join the conversation on Social Media: http://facebook.com/higherthings http://instagram.com/higherthings https://www.tiktok.com/@higherthings