How to Get Exiled #21

Mark 12 38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

In the background of this encounter was a discussion Jesus had earlier with these religious leaders about widows.  They were frustrated that God said they had to marry them if the Old Testament laws of redemption applied to them. That is in the back of Jesus' mind when He now goes on the attack.  He chides them for going around trying to look religious, while in reality they were oppressing widows. They were not His heroes.  To drive things home, he stood watching and waiting people give their alms - some big and some small - and their attitudes as they gave.  It was not the big, rich guys that impressed Him, and therefore God; it was the widow who came and gave joyfully, thankfully, and sacrificially. She was the one who demonstrated true faith.