Jesus notices the Widow C - 5
Jesus sat down opposite the place where offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
Please read again the line that says: “…more into the treasury than all the others”. If others were putting in the equivalent of $10, $20, $50 or more, and the poor widow put in a penny’s worth, how could such a statement be made? Maybe Jesus never studied accounting. Or He was missing a “math chip in His brain! Was He mistaken?
No, it was no mistake. What was important was not the amount given, but the heart in which it was given. Thus, that poor widow gave “more” to honor God than the others that day. That widow had to use every bit of trust and faith she could muster, that God would everyday somehow see to her desperate needs, even though she went unnoticed by others that day. But He noticed.
I can assure you that even though this particular widow thought of herself as insignificant, of little value, and not having anything "going" for her, Jesus noticed and saw her just the opposite! To Him, she was the “real” church!
Might Jesus say: “Consider for a moment that, with my Father and the Holy Spirit, I was and am the creator of billions of galaxies each with billions of stars and was the creator of all the plants and animals and was indeed your creator as well. Do I really need a gold-paneled temple to impress me? I need you to know that a church is simply a building, but the real church is made up of my brothers and sisters, people just like you. Then, as now, what I’m looking for is for my brothers and sisters to know me so well that their trust and faith know no bounds.
Some might have this question: wonder if all the people that day put in just pennies? How would the temple function properly? How would the payroll be met? How would supplies be bought? How would maintenance work be done? Should we offer Bingo on Wednesday night?
Jesus didn’t seem too concerned with the actual temple’s budget and revenue. What He did notice, and notice carefully, was the real temple: the widow. Her heart and mind were of far more concern than anything else that day.
The same creator God described above is powerful enough to see to the temple’s needs, and to every one of our needs. We are the real temple He wants to grow; we are the real temple in which Jesus wants to dwell; we are the real temple He cares about. Our spirit will be with Him in heaven long after every church building is but dust. A trusting spirit and a faithful heart are always, always, what He looks for.
The next time you throw a penny into the collection, and it is all you have, and you do it with trust and faith, know that heaven is moved. Watch for blessings. And know that you are noticed!
1) Do you think that the woman made a mistake? Was she simply not practical in her management of finances?
2) Through this action, would she put a burden on others to care for her daily needs?
3) How do you think that widow survived the following days and weeks?
4) How do think the widow thought about herself?
5) Do you think she felt noticed and had importance in her town?
6) Why was Jesus so moved by one particular individual?
7) Do you feel noticed by Jesus?
8) Do you think Jesus would remember her, every day, on an on-going basis, making sure her needs were somehow met?
9) Do we usually take notice of people and events in the same way Jesus does?
10) Notice that Jesus did not speak to this woman. He only noted her offering. During those times when you feel you cannot hear Jesus, can you still believe He sees what is going on with you?