| The Widow |
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| What does it take to impress Jesus? That is the center of the story presented here in Luke’s gospel. Jesus was impressed. Like the other times that Jesus speaks of his amazement in the Gospels, it is because someone has gone above and beyond the normal expressions of faith and done something that extended themselves in a way that shows a kind of kingdom faith that thrilled Jesus. Jesus was in the Temple with his disciples. Lots of folks were coming and they made a point of stopping at the cornucopias near the entrance of the Temple to toss in their offerings. It could of course have been a rather simple practice, kind of like our offering plates at the back of the sanctuary where people can just leave what they bring as a gift, without any show or acknowledgement. But there were some, as there seems to be in all ages, who must make a fuss about their wonderful gift. What is it that motives that kind of gift? Luke doesn’t record the story here but there is the story elsewhere in the New Testament of the rich man who puts in a large gift and so feels free to think well of himself. The scriptures make clear that the reward to be received by that man was only what he got in that moment of self congratulation. But this widow was different. Widows in Israel in Jesus day were often very poor. There was not pension system, no Social Security or Medicare. Widows were often left bereft if family was available to care for them. They lived as the humble poor do today, from hand to mouth, eating as little as possible, trying to keep a roof over their heads, getting by as they could hoping no illness or other misfortune overtake them. It was not easy. The two coins the widow dropped into the collection was a huge portion of what she had to take of herself, maybe even all she had to take care of herself, as Jesus suggests. Once it was in the collection, all she had left to rely on was providence, the idea and hopefully the actuality of God’s care. She decided to place her life in the hands of God. That kind of faith doesn’t come easily. We naturally look for ways to survive. We naturally look for ways to make sure that we will not be endangered. Whether you are happy with the thought or not doesn’t Darwin’s idea of the survival of species suggest that the ones who survive are the ones who make survival their most important task. And doesn’t Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggest that it is human nature to deal with our most basic needs in life and for life first? So when a human chooses to look beyond themselves to see greater needs and great purposes afoot, isn’t that evidence of something else at work, something other than survival, a realization that self sacrifice in the face of greater good is important even necessary to being human. Isn’t that the first evidence that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, having been fashioned in the image of God. She decided to place her life in the hands of her Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, and in great faith, rely on God’s grace. It is always the same test we are faced with; will I rely on me, or will I rely on God’s grace? Did she have to put in all her pennies? No. Did she want to, desire to, to show herself most of all she could? She did so at a great price. What if no food came? I suspect the woman would have readily answered, “then I won’t eat”. Jesus looked and immediately admired her. Think about that for a moment. She would have died a thousand death if she knew that Jesus thought so much of her. There are some of us who would give our right arms for that honor. We would love to have the King of Kings and Lord of Lords ready and willing to name us as good and faithful servants. How about you? And what would you be willing to do to earn that honor? It would have to be a simple act of profound faith, a gesture that suggests our complete devotion, a symbol of dedication, our discipleship, our desire to be apprentices of the highest order. A pledge card such as it is, is only a small thing. It is certainly not a lifetime commitment of cosmic proportions. But it does have meaning because it does say that we are one of Christ’s disciples and we have decided at least in our own limited way to pledge “our lives and our fortunes” to the cause of Christ. What does it take to impress Jesus? Simple, basic faith, faith that God will provide, faith that God will use our gifts and our talents, our families and even us to make his kingdom come alive. We have lost in recent days some great saints. Ellie Busser served her Lord with determination and with all the energy she had. Ed Cristello with rare talents and a heart full of grace and compassion. Each of them was a leader, not because they stood in front of us calling us on, not because they stood behind us pushing us to the front, but leaders because they took seriously their apprenticeship to Jesus Christ and had in their own strong but gentle ways become masters of the craft of following the Great Master himself. Jesus sat in the Temple and watched a poor widow give all she had to God, and he marveled at her faith. The Lord is watch you and me too. What will he see us do? Amen. |
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