Teachers and Widows

Scripture:

Mark 12:38   As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:41   He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³ Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴ For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Observation:

The group of disciples gathers tight around Jesus to continue to listen to his teaching. The world of the temple surrounding him becomes the canvas upon which he paints his illustrations. Scribes are walking around in long white robes, standing out against the colorful background of the ordinary people of Jerusalem. Their attire draws the eye while one stands and prays in a loud voice, appearing to be holier than the people surrounding. At the sametime you can hear the clunk, clunk of coins being thrown into the offering basins which line the wall. Those wanting to be more respected drop many large coins with the sound reverberating for all to hear. 

An obscure figure enters the scene, barely noticeable among the crowd and makes her way to the offering basins. Her coins are so small that no one would have noticed her gift, barely making a sound. However, Jesus has the uncanny ability to see the hidden and the obscure, and to hear the smallest of sounds which equates to the greatest of gestures. The contrast in the scene is obvious, one is condemned while the other is commended. 

Application:

We are tempted to seek the attention of others, hoping to be honored, seen and recognized. In the church we may want to point out our piety and devotion to God, and yet, that is not what the Lord is seeking. The lure of power is always before us. Even within the life of the church the draw of power must constantly be tempered or we will find ourselves flaunting our faith before the poor widows.

Just like Jesus we are to pay attention to those on the margins. We should not be distracted by those in fancy clothes, nor those who can drop large donations into the offering plate. Jesus saw the religious leaders, but he also saw the widow. What’s more is that he saw beyond that which all the world could see, and recognized the motivation found in their hearts. When no one else heard, Jesus knew what the widow had given, and her gift was much grander than the clunk of large coins. She had given everything. 

We are commended by our Lord when we refuse to be tempted by the allure of power. Jesus wants everything that we have, given in humble service to the kingdom of God. We are to be the widow and do all we can to avoid the temptation of the scribes.

Prayer:

Lord, today and every day I want to pledge to you my all. Please, protect me from temptation that may draw me away from your will. Amen.