From “An Illustrated Commentary on the Gospel of Mark” by Phillip Medhurst.
❖ Video
❖ Audio
Do We Trust God With All Our Strength?
(Mark 12:38-44)
Mari Ikeda
A. Respected by other people, but rebuked by God (38-40)
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
B. Scorned by other people, but pleasing God (41-44)
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
C. Focusing on our relationship with God without comparing ourselves with others
Summary
People judge other people by their social status and wealth, but God’s standards are completely different. God examines each of our hearts. He sees everything including our circumstances and our strength, and delights in our trust, our worship, and our love for him. There are times when other people look down on us, but God is delighting in us and other times when we win others’ respect, but God sees our hypocrisy. Instead of comparing ourselves with others, let’s make it our goal to trust and love God with all our strength in our present circumstance.
For Discussion
- What specifically does it mean to “put in everything” out of poverty beyond our finances?
- How can we see things from Jesus’ perspective instead rather than through the lens of other people’s values?