PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 12:38-44
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” (Mark 12:43)
Who are the well known christians of our day?
Who do people throng to see or hear, or to get an autograph from?
Our world has its celebrities, but so does the church!
But who does God celebrate, who does Jesus pay special attention to?
In this reading Jesus contrasts the religious leaders with this poor widow.
We notice the leaders, but Jesus notices the ones no one else sees.
We notice the pastors, the gifted musicians, the great teachers, the active members.
But do we miss how God is at work in those who don’t stand out or measure up?
Worse, do we write them off as less committed, less valuable to the church?
Every member of God’s family matters to Jesus, he sees their hearts and lives.
He sees through the showy side of faith, to what really lives in the heart.
He calls ‘saints’ the ones the church does not; he sees me, even if no one else does.
As I’ve come to know struggling sinners in the church, I’ve discovered secret saints.
Despite less than showy success, there is a hidden holiness that is easily missed.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see and celebrate the quiet, invisible saints among the sinners… the ones you see and know and love!
Have I given beyond my means? Can I say that I’ve given my offering if I haven’t yet tithed? Lord do I speak louder than I live and teach what I haven’t learned?
Help me give with passion and thanksgiving, help me work with “equity” and with plans for justice in my heart. Teach me how to discern right from wrong in all aspects of my life.
I can’t buy someone’s love and affection – I may have people like me because I’m generous or nice to them -or because I’m successful and popular. But it’s phony if I have other motives – they’ll discover the truth. I can’t demand or buy God’s love – He gives it generously. So I also willingly give my heart – it is not something I do because I must or to win God’s favour – it’s because I want to. My heart has to be in it! I’m humbled by an awesome God who loves me enough to rescue me from my sin that condemns me!
All that I have is His. I am His servant as I live for Jesus. I love You Lord and that needs to be seen also in my behaviour. Love in action. loving = knowing = doing.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be