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A Mighty Widow (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)
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A Mighty Widow (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)
In contrast to many “great” and “religious” people, one lowly woman stood out in Jesus’ eye as an example to be praised.
- Certainty of the Widow –
- Use of the word certain reminds us this was a real person (consider Luke’s usage of it: Lk 1:5, 8:2, 10:38, 16:20; Acts 5:1, 8:9, 9:10, 9:33, 36, etc.) – a real woman, in real poverty, giving real money; she was not just hypothetical.
- God knew, Jesus noted, and the Holy Spirit recorded her.
- Reminder that God takes note of each of us and reminds us that great examples we read of are real people, just like you and I (Matt. 10:29-31; 1 Pet. 5:7; James 5:16-18).
- Poverty of the Widow –
- She was a beggar (Mk 12:42, 43), needy (Lk 21:2) and worked for her daily living (Lk 21:3); she is noted as being in want (a falling short, Mk 12:44) and giving of her penury (that which is lacking, Lk 21:4).
- Yet even in that state she gave to others, a stark contrast to the deceitfulness of the scribes (Mk 12:38-40; Lk 20:46-47) and a great reminder for us that we don’t have to be rich to do great things (Lk 12:15).
- Generosity of the Widow –
- She gave what would add up to about ¼ of a cent, yet she had given more than all in that she gave all she had.
- Others had enough to spare, but she sacrificed all she had.
- She trusted God, cared for others, and gave of herself (1 Kngs 17:8-16, 2 Cor. 8:1-5, 11-12, Lk 12:16ff; Gal. 2:20).
