Jesus Praises the Poor Widow Woman
Well, let’s continue looking at Jesus. Consider the following passage and look for His good character:
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the 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 few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44
Don’t immediately run to the Life Application piece after reading this. It is great to think about how we can be generous with our money and we want to do that, but don’t rush there quite yet. First we want to worship Jesus. What do you see Jesus doing? Think about it and write down a couple notes before you read my thoughts.
Interestingly, Jesus punctuates His comments by “calling His disciples to Him”. He takes special effort to bring them all together and then highlights something they overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the Temple activity. Jesus focuses them in on the least and the last, a little poor widow woman. Most people take interest in the larger sums of money that are put in by “important” people. No one is considering the poor widow. Then He declares a most surprising statement; “… she has put more into the treasury than all the rest.”
Pause for a moment and consider that. It is high praise from the Son of God for the faithful generosity of one who has incredibly little. Focus your heart on Jesus and return the praise to Him, that He is the sort of person who praises this little unknown woman for her hidden act of goodness.
And don’t forget, this woman isn’t perfect, she is a regular human. It’s encouraging to see that Jesus finds things to praise in people like this woman. He sees things in us which are praiseworthy. It is the enemy that constantly accuses us. Jesus may convict us but He doesn’t accuse us like the enemy does. He looks for ways to grow us in goodness … which is the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control – Gal 5:22). We can be encouraged by knowing that he sees even the smallest act of kindness and praises us for it.
God Is Just Like Jesus Since Jesus is God in human form, what He praises reveals what the Father praises! God sees the big and the small and praises imperfect human beings for walking in goodness!
1st Commandment Prayer Jesus, I love that you don’t miss a single act or thought of love, kindness, generosity, strength or courage. And you praise us for it! What no one else sees or cares about your regard as wonderful! Help me see the things in my life that you are praising, so that I am encourage to value them and continue in them.
If you want to go on to Life Application consider sponsoring a child living in extreme poverty with food, education, medical attention and an exposure to the Gospel: www.Compassion.com It is most of the most significant ways you can radically help a little child.