JESUS IS GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!
(Mark’s biography of our Servant-Savior Jesus)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
February 2, 2014
Pastor Mike Albin
Living Hope Church
Jesus is good news for those who give Him everything!
Mark 12:38-44
Does Jesus see you as a religious hypocrite? Vs. 38-40
As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in
flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the
synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show
make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
Matthew 6:5,6; 23:1-36
Widow—a word to strike fear into the heart of every Jewish woman.
Widow—a hard word, synonym for defenseless. Poor. Alone. Nothing.
For in your world you were nothing without a man.
Only father, husband, brother or son gave you validation.
For you, the fear has come true and here you are.
Widowed—one of the poor ones.
Life hanging by a slender thread….a tissue-thin connection between you and hunger, between
life and death.
Poor widow, nothing on which to come and go; just two small coins in your hand. Enough for
the next meal, perhaps.
But you make your way bravely to the Temple treasury, ringing with the noise of many coins
thrown ostentatiously into brass trumpets.
Quietly you slip between the crowd, and drop in your offering.
Did you wonder whether anyone would notice?
Whether your two small coins would make any difference?
SOMEONE did see.
One who rated your two coins more highly than all the clattering money thrown in that day by
scribes,
who make stripping widow’s assets an occupation.
And down the years your act tugs our heartstrings
and makes our overloaded purses heavy with shame.
And any time we offer something small we commemorate your gift as we say,
“It’s just a widow’s mite.”
Thank you, widow woman for daring to come out of the obscurity of your status-less life
refusing to let poverty restrict you,
refusing to be a nobody,
daring to be one who gave the most priceless gift of all….
all she had.
--Susan Jones
How does Jesus evaluate your giving? Vs. 41-44
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, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into
the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty,
put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Matthew 6:1-4
Next Sunday: “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!” Mark 13