Have you wondered what you would do if you knew that you had days to live? What would be your priorities?
Jesus knew that His time had come. His eyes were focused on the cross. But He had so much to do, to teach, to heal, to love during His last days.
On Sunday, we celebrated Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace, riding on a colt. The people waved palm branches, laid them on the path, and shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”Mark 11:9
We see Him cleanse the money-changers and those who sold the animals for sacrifices from the temple because they had made the temple a “den of robbers” instead of a house of prayer, Mark 11:17.
The second day, Jesus returns to the temple and teaches, answers questions, and heals the blind and lame. Again on the third day, Jesus is in the temple teaching. So much to teach; so much to do. Full days.
But our Lord was never in a hurry. He sat and watched the people. He honored the one woman who gave her all.
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
Jesus knew her circumstances, and He knew the circumstances of each person who gave an offering. He knows your circumstances and my circumstances.
“Out of her poverty” she gave everything she had to live on to God. I wonder if Jesus was thinking about His offering in a few days. On the cross, He would fulfill all the requirements of the Law. He would give everything He had to live on for you and me. He paid the price for our sins – death.
The widow put God first … over her physical needs. I wonder what her thoughts were as she dropped the two coins into the offering box.
“What good will this little bit do?”
“I don’t want anyone to notice how little I’m giving.”
Jesus noticed. He even pointed her out to His disciples. I wonder if He smiled.
Jesus put God first … over His agony … over His shame … over His taking our sin upon Himself … over His death.
The widow gave all she had … and God was pleased.
Jesus gave all … and God was pleased … and Jesus ushered in eternal life to all who would receive His free gift of salvation.
Knowing this, we are called to give our all to God … our talents, our time, our possessions, our money. Yet, Jesus told only one man to go and sell his possessions and follow Him. Jesus knew that the rich young ruler’s possessions were his number one priority.
Jesus must be first in our lives. How does that look in your life?
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
The last week of His life, and Jesus sat and
watched the people give.
He watched their spiritual worship.
My prayer
Our Gracious Father, thank You for sending Your Son to give His all for us. Father, we give You our bodies, our possessions, our all. Use them for Your glory. We thank You for the poor widow’s example, and Jesus’ response. May we be like her and give our all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How does your giving reflect your spiritual worship?
