Christ Church Daily Devotion Dec 27 2023

In this Daily Devotion, we read from Mark chapter 12 about a poor widow who gave all she had as an offering to God. Jesus praised her for her sacrifice, saying that she gave more than the wealthy people who gave out of their abundance. This story teaches us about the value of giving from a genuine heart, even if it seems like a small amount. We should examine our motives and value system when it comes to giving ourselves to Christ. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for December 27th, 2023. Today we will be reading from Mark chapter 12, verses 41 through 44. 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, but a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. These were of only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all of the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything, all she had to live on. We can visualize what is happening in these verses. Where do you find yourself in the story? And it is written in such a way that even children can understand, and are open to what Jesus is teaching here. It is interesting, though, that these verses are right after Jesus' teachings in verses 38 through 40. To be wary of the teachers of the law, or the scribes, in the temple. They value their own importance, and Jesus says, They devour the widow's houses. The widow's offering is a lesson which children can learn and understand, and yet the leaders and disciples struggled to comprehend. First and foremost, the widow gave all that she had. She sacrificed completely, and she gave all that she had, which were two copper coins, with the explanation that they are worth a fraction of a penny. This sentence alone reminds us of the role and status, in Bible times, of one whose husband had died. No rights, ownership of anything, insurance, or inheritance. Jesus surprised the disciples, and the others listening, by turning the valuing system all around. He said, This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. We need to listen deeply to Jesus' words in our day as well. How do we measure value in what is greatest in the kingdom of God? Two weeks ago, our devotions helped us examine our motives behind our actions of service unto God. Earlier in Mark 12, some of the leaders of the temple had been sent to Jesus to ask Him questions to trap Jesus. Their motives were not pure and upright, but the motives of the widow were from her heart, in her love and trust of God, and in her willingness to sacrifice. Even though, in the eyes of others, it was very little, she truly gave her all. She gave from a genuine heart. This ties it back into verses 29 to 31 of the greatest commandment, Some commentaries say that the widow's story can be read as an anticipation of Jesus' own sacrifice of His life. God's love for the people of the world comes from God's own heart of sacrificial love. Today's personal worship option. As we continue in the Christmas season, let us re-examine our hearts, our motives, and our valuing system for giving our hearts, our whole hearts, to Christ. Let Christina Georgina Rossetti's words from 1905 inspire us. What can I give Him? Poor as I am. If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him? Give Him my heart.