JESUS NOTE

Noticing a Widow

A "JESUS NOTE" is encouragement for you as if Jesus Christ Himself was speaking.  You'll find both Scripture and a message about that Scripture.  These "Jesus Notes" are meant to give you insight into His Heart, how He thinks, and how He feels about you.  Let this encouragement begin to dwell deep within you!

Jesus sat down opposite the place where 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 gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.”  MARK 12:41-44 (NIV)
 
Please read again the line that says:  “…more into the treasury than all the others”.  If others were putting in the equivalent of $10, $20, $50 or more, and the poor widow put in a penny’s worth, how could such a statement be made?  Was I mistaken?

No, it was no mistake.  What was important was not the amount given, but the heart in which it was given.  Thus, that poor widow gave “more” to honor God than the others that day.  That widow had to use every bit of trust and faith she could muster, that God would everyday somehow see to her desperate needs, even though she went unnoticed by others that day.  But I noticed.
 
Consider for a moment that, with my Father, I was the creator of billions of galaxies each with billions of stars, I was the creator of all the plants and animals, and I was indeed your creator.  Do I really need a gold-paneled temple to impress me?  I need you to know that a church is simply a building, but the real church is made up of my brothers and sisters, people just like you.  Then, as now, what I’m looking for is for my brothers and sisters to know me so well, that their trust and faith knows no bounds.

Some might have this question: wonder if all the people that day put in just pennies?  How would the temple function properly?  How would the payroll be met?  How would supplies be bought?  How would maintenance work be done?
 
The answer is simple: the same creator God described above is powerful enough to see to the temple’s needs, and to every one of your needs.  You are the real temple I want to grow; you are the real temple in which I want to dwell; you are the real temple I care about.  Your spirit will be with me in heaven long after every church building is but dust.  A trusting spirit and a faithful heart is always, always, what I look for.

The next time you throw a penny into the collection, and it is all you have, and you do it with trust and faith, know that heaven is moved.  Watch for blessings.  And know that you are noticed!

I really like you, and I really love you!
 

At the end of various readings in Comfort.Guide, we will have a "Pause", "Reflect" and "Receive" section.  The purpose of this exercise is to help you better understand and to personally absorb the encouragement Comfort.Guide offers.  If you would like, visit the "HOW TO USE" on-line page for a review of "Pause, Reflect and Receive".


 
PAUSE … Invite Him to be with you; let Him quiet you with His Love.

 
REFLECT … What is God saying to you?  Jesus didn’t seem too concerned with the actual temple’s budget and revenue.  What He did notice, and notice carefully, was the real temple: the widow.  Her heart and mind was of far more concern that anything else that day. 
 
1) Do you think He would remember her, every day, on an on-going basis, making sure her needs were somehow met?

2) Why was Jesus so moved by one particular individual?

3) How do you think that widow survived the following days and weeks?

4) Do we usually take notice of people and events in the same way Jesus does?   
 

RECEIVE …

Seeing our total life from God's perspective is the most important part of healing!  Ask for that insight so you can see your daily growth toward Him!


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