Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, worth less than a penny. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” ~Mark 12:41-44

We will get back to the widow, shortly, but before we do, lets take a look at what is taking place leading up to this point. Scripture is never randomly placed. The context always matters.

Jesus has made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He is ready to face his accusers, the established religious leaders of the Sanhedran (SADhedran). He already knows that He will be put on trial and executed. He is going to use every opportunity to teach His loyal followers how to deal with false leaders and teachers.

After His arrival, He did not have to go looking for them. They had been waiting, like snakes, for the opportunity to take Him down for quite awhile and here He was.

Jesus begins with a lesson concerning a fruitless fig tree, He then proceeds to overturn tables and cleanse the temple, which had become a fruitless “den of thieves”. The cursed fig tree withers and dies as eventually deeds of wickedness do also.

Jesus teaches his disciples about an attitude of faithful prayer and forgiveness. They need to know how to handle what is coming.

Again they encounter the accusers who relentlessly question His authority. He has them dumbfounded and outraged. He compares them to wicked vine dressers who have rejected truth. They challenge Him about taxes and resurrection, the kingdom of God, and the submission of King David. This is an intense scene.

His attention and teaching again turn to the disciples to point out the hypocrisy they are witnessing as these leaders obliviously live it up, while the vulnerable are left to fend for themselves.

And here comes a poor widow. She is likely unaware of all of the chaos. She has merely come to the temple to faithfully make her offering before God even though what she gives is not even enough to buy bread. It was obvious that she was giving up a necessity rather than from abundance.

Jesus took the time to notice her and recognize her faith in the midst of turmoil. Little did she know she made history.

Nothing is trivial to Him when it comes to our faith even when it may seem insignificant to us. Do we really believe He doesn’t have time for us? Or that He does not see our small seemingly insignificant efforts?

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ~Luke 12:7

Note: I published this little lesson a few years ago on another website. It has been a year since I have posted anything new here on bejoyfuloearth.com. Life gets busy. I almost am not sure whether to keep the site going or not. Call it “writers block” or artists block, I don’t know. I keep telling the LORD that there are plentenough (yes, a made up term, lol) Christian websites bigger and better than my little offering here and is it worth a go on the swirling chaotic beast of the internet these days anyway? But this is the lesson I was drawn to to publish today. I hope it will encourage you as well.

Gwen Smith: The One Who Sees Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwpBoaOt9QY