The David Spoon Experience 8-20-24 part 1

A) In Matthew 19:1, Jesus moves to the southern side of Judea. He attracts vast crowds who follow him, and he heals their sick. Given the medical world of that time, which was not as advanced as ours, Jesus, being a healer, drew many people. It's important to remember that Jesus' healing was comprehensive. He healed physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, and ultimately, relationally. In Revelation, there are mentions of trees for the healing of the nations, indicating the depth of Jesus' healing.

B) In verse 3, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus. They ask him if a man should be allowed to divorce his wife for any reason, hoping to trick him into saying something they could use against him. Ironically, they were trying to justify their own reasons for divorce, such as a woman making a poor stew or soufflé. Jesus' response likely wasn't what they were expecting, which probably only irritated them more.

C) Jesus' initial response is remarkable and perhaps not taught as often as it should be. He directly asks the Pharisees, who were supposed to be teaching others about the scriptures, "Haven't you read the scriptures?" This is quite an insult, considering they were supposed to be the teachers of the word, yet they weren't even reading it. This is similar to how the world often quotes Jesus, using only bits and pieces of his teachings.