Greatness: Matthew 14-20Sample

When was the last time you let God’s word truly confront you — not just encourage or inspire, but gently challenge, unsettle, even offend?

We all bring stories, assumptions, and experiences to the pages of Scripture. Whether we’re aware of it or not, they shape how we hear Jesus’ voice.

As someone who’s walked with God for years, I’ve come to see how easy it is for the edges of my heart to grow hard. Familiarity with Jesus can dull my urgency to be changed by Him. That’s why I’m so often encouraged when I read Scripture alongside those who are new to faith in Jesus. There’s something so beautiful and humbling about watching them react to Jesus’ words in real time. Their honesty disarms me. Their wonder reminds me that the Word is still alive and active. Their questions give me permission to ask my own.

In today’s passage, Jesus speaks about two deeply personal topics: marriage and singleness. His words are piercing. They push against both ancient and modern norms.

In Matthew 19:1–15 (ESV), He calls us to honour the sacred covenant of marriage, while dignifying singleness as a high calling in the kingdom of God. Both are expressions of devotion and dependence. Both challenge the idols of our age — autonomy, instant gratification, and self-fulfilment. And both can bring up emotions: pain, hope, disappointment, longing.

As you read today’s Scriptures, pause and notice your reactions. Are there places where your heart resists what Jesus says? Notice where your experience seems to speak louder than His promises.

Today, ponder this:

God is not afraid of your honest questions. He doesn’t shame you for feeling tension between your experience and His living word. He simply asks: “Will you come to me?”

Whether you’ve followed Jesus for decades or days, you need the same Holy Spirit to stir, to challenge, to confront, and to comfort. Invite Him to do that today.