Through our recent series on parables, there were several times when Jesus would teach the phrase we now hold familiar: the first shall be last and the last shall be first. The text this Sunday may offer a parallel illustration, and as a clergy person I find it kind of unsettling! The phrase that is translated here as “legal experts” could easily be applied to clergy, and I wonder if our legal professionals in the congregation share the same unease that I do.
The story immediately following is about a widow who gives everything she has to the temple treasury. She gives everything! Do you see the contrast? Some like to walk around in long robes and be recognized in public, and the humble widow quietly gives everything.
Mark 12:38-44
38 As he was teaching, he said, “Watch out for the legal experts. They like to walk around in long robes. They want to be greeted with honor in the markets. 39 They long for places of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. 40 They are the ones who cheat widows out of their homes, and to show off they say long prayers. They will be judged most harshly.”
41 Jesus sat across from the collection box for the temple treasury and observed how the crowd gave their money. Many rich people were throwing in lots of money. 42 One poor widow came forward and put in two small copper coins worth a penny. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than everyone who’s been putting money in the treasury. 44 All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had, even what she needed to live on.”
Consider these questions:
- How does the widow claim her significance? How does she life as though her faith makes a difference in her life?
- What might we learn from this widow about how to live our own lives?
- How can the practices of giving and generosity be a sign of our trust in God?
- How can the practices of giving and generosity be countercultural?