JESUS PRAISES A WIDOW’S DEVOTION
Keywords 21:4
All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but
she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.
1. Beware of the teachers of the law (20:45-47)
The disciples may
have been secretly envious of the flowing robes, respect,
and position the religious leaders flaunted. But Jesus
wanted his disciples to see
beyond appearances to the motives of the heart. The
religious leaders’ devotion to
God was rooted in a desire for honour and praise. They
devoured widow’s houses
through their religious traditions (Mk. 7:11-13). Jesus
says: “Beware!” Their lives
were a warning for his disciples. Such people would be
punished most severely.
2. This widow put in more than the others (21:1-4)
Jesus turned his
attention to the place where gifts for the temple were placed.
He saw the rich putting in their gifts, but it was the two
very small coins of a
destitute widow that caught his admiration. He wanted his
disciples to see and
notice this woman’s act of faith and devotion. In contrast
with the religious leaders
whose acts were done before people’s eyes, this woman put
her trust and hope in
God, whose heart goes out to widows and the poor.
Prayer Father, I am easily distracted by what people
think or say. Help me seek
your praise and admiration by trusting in your grace and
devoting myself
to you.
One Word Jesus sees our acts of faith
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