Since
losing John to pancreatic cancer in July, I have spent much time
seeking the Lord as to how to live, and walk out, this new role of
widow. It hasn't been easy on any front, but, little by little, I'm
finding my way. I have a feeling that I've a long way to go.
Part
of my seeking has included searching the Scriptures. I've looked up
every reference to widows in the Bible that I can find and have
discovered that widows hold a very special place in the heart of our
Lord. It is expressed by His special love for, and tender care of,
them. Realizing that, and taken along with the admonition found in I
Thessalonians 4:13 to “sorrow not as those who have no hope”
has helped immensely.
Some
that I have talked with...some that are in a similar place as
myself...have trouble referring to themselves as a widow and don't
like the reference at all, but, to me, the word “widow” is a
Biblical term that the Spirit Himself uses throughout Scripture to
describe a woman who was married, but whose husband has died.
Therefore, to me, the word and reference is totally appropriate. My apology to those who disagree.
In
studying the many references to widows in the Bible I find that a
couple of my favorite Scripture passages are among them...the entire
book of Ruth and the story of Elisha and the widow woman with the
vessels of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7). Both of these passages are
exceptional and are profitable for study on multiple
levels...but...that's not where I'm headed today. I do recommend that
you read and study those passages though. They are both very good!
There
are so many directions that I could go with this, but, believe it or
not, widowhood is not the focus of my writing today. It is through
the study of it, though, that led me to where I am headed and that is
to the story of the widow's mite found in Mark
12:41-44.
Interestingly
enough, in the verses just prior to this passage (verses 38 through
40) Jesus was warning His followers to beware of the scribes
(religious leaders) who seek recognition, honor, and prestige and who
“devour widow's houses” (take advantage of unsuspecting and
lonely widows).
Jesus
had just finished warning His followers about this, when what does He
see, but a certain poor widow throwing her two mites into the temple
treasury. He calls his disciples over and makes note to them that the
poor widow had cast in more than all the others. He said that they
had cast in of their abundance, but that she, of her want, cast in
all that she had.
As
noted here by Jesus, the rich often give only a token from the abundance of their wealth that involves neither sacrifice nor
generosity. Though the widow gave only a small amount, her giving
represented a heart of extravagant generosity. She cast in “all the
living she had.” She gave as much as she possibly could.
From
this and other passages we can clearly see that the Lord doesn't
evaluate our lives and ministry by outward success, but by the
quality of our love, faith, and extravagant giving of ourselves to
Him in sincere devotion.
Are
you an extravagant giver of yourself to the Lord? Do you, of your
want (of what you lack), give all that you have, or all that you
possibly can (your hopes, your dreams, your talents and abilities,
your substance), to Him...His service...His people? I'd like to
encourage you today to seek the Lord on how to use what, you appear,
to have little of to do great and mighty things for the Kingdom of
God.
Now...just
for fun...what is, and exactly how much is, a mite?
According
to Google, “the mite, also known as a lepton, was a Jewish coin and
the smallest used in New Testament time. At the time of Mark's
writing, it was worth 1/64 of a denarius. A denarius was a day's wage
for a common worker. In today's terms, it would be worth about 1/8 of
a cent.”
The
widow put in two mites. According to our passage (Mark 12:42), two
mites equal a farthing. A farthing equals one-quarter penny.
I
recently acquired a real mite that would have been in circulation
between 100 B.C and 60 A.D. I can't help but wonder if it wasn't one
of the very two that the poor widow observed by Jesus and His followers put in the temple treasury that very day. It's not
probably, but it is possible!
The widow's mite coins above are replicas of those originals
that were used in the Holy Land. May they serve to remind you of
Jesus's teaching in Mark 12: 41-44 concerning the story of the poor
widow and her extravagantly generous heart.
May we all have such a
heart when it comes to the things of our Lord and Saviour in these
end of days in which we live!
Until
next time...
~Rebecca
Scritpture
references: I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Mark 12:38-44; 2 Kings 4:1-7;
Ruth Chapters 1 through 4
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