S -
"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 ESV)
O -
Admittedly it's an interesting place for Jesus to position himself. Yet the really engaging question in this
story is why he lets the widow do it?
Why doesn't he stop her? The
amount is negligible in the grand scheme of Temple costs and support. If she
kept her offering it would not be missed and in giving it won't she severely
miss it? Maybe by the time he sees her it's too late … it took only a matter of
seconds and once the coins left her hand it's literally down the drain. So, why doesn't he send one of the twelve
after her with a couple of denarii to replace and drastically increase her
former financial bearing? How will she
eat? How will she live until she somehow
gains a few coins again? Could the reason be that Jesus actually believes
everything he's been telling the twelve and the crowds about money, provision
and how to live life on earth? In
keeping with his teaching about worry and daily bread (cf. Matthew 6, Luke 12),
maybe he's convinced his Father will care for her by a miracle or through
others. Wait … wasn't Jesus a street kid in Jerusalem for three or four days
when he was twelve? How did he eat and
where did he sleep? Why wasn't he
flustered and afraid when his parents found him some 72 to 96 hours later (Luke
2:41-51)? Hmmm … don't worry, don't run after, don't take. Trust, follow and all these things will be
added.
A -
Jesus is very direct about the cost of following him (literally everything),
the corrosive nature of money (be on your guard against all kinds of greed),
the Father's willing involvement in daily bread (give us this day our daily
bread) and that there are no exceptions to the truth that no one
can serve God and money (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). The question for me is will
I believe him? Will I take him at his
word? Since for Jesus believing and
living are completely connected, will I live this "out loud"? His question remains foremost in how I am to
think, speak, live and love (John 3:11-12):""Truly,
truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have
seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you
do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" [LEB]
P - Lord
of Daily Bread,
I accept your testimony about
earth and realize that as I live this out loud you won't stop me either. Instead, you'll lead, reveal, provide,
protect and enable me. I admit that even
in daily bread issues your ways are your own.
I'm not putting any confidence in how I think your words should come to
fruition. I'm putting all my faith,
trust, hope in your person … you lead and I'll follow. I affirm my everything
is on the table … do everything you already have in mind to do. Thank you for not stopping her and for not
stopping any and all who will take you at your word.
All in,
Steve 
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