Luke 21:1-4
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall these words of Jesus from our last meditation, Luke 20:46-47. Then read today’s passage, Luke 21:1-4 noting any thoughts that arise as you read.
Jesus has just pointed out the empty religious show of the Sadducees, and now he seizes on an opportunity to highlight a picture of authentic faith.
As a widow in first century Israel, a woman would be dependent on her relatives, and if they could not or would not support her, she would be in a very vulnerable situation. But this obviously poor widow comes to the temple to worship God in a pure act of faith.
The Greek word translated here as “small coins” indicates a “tiny” amount of money. But these two almost worthless coins are all the woman has. She could reserve one for her own use, but she gives them both trusting the God she worships to meet her needs.
Stop to assess your own exercise of religion. On a spectrum from the empty religion of the Sadducees all the way to the pure faith of the poor widow, where do you fall? Talk openly with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 21:1-4 again.
In the Kingdom of God there is no scarcity because there is no greed. Everyone cares about the flourishing of everyone else, so that no one is without means to live a full and meaningful life.
The widow intuitively grasps the nature of God’s Kingdom. She does not analyze the temple system, and she does not seem to be bothered that others are misusing the system for their own gain. She simply gives out of a generous heart to honor the God she worships.
Sit with the example set by this woman for a while as you listen to Jesus.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do in response to this example of faith and generosity?
How will you respond?
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