Luke 21:1-4 The Poor Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44)
“Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:29-33 The Lesson of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31)
“Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”
Luke 21: 34-38 Be Watchful for the Day
“But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.”
Jesus is winding up his ministry. Jesus has fulfilled the prophecy in Zachariah 9:9-13 by entering Jerusalem to the adulation of the crowds on an untrained donkey colt. On approaching Jerusalem, Jesus weeps because he knows that its inhabitants have no idea who he is, nor will some of them know until he returns as a conquering King. As soon as Jesus reaches the temple, he drives out those selling sacrificial animals and birds and those changing money into the temple script. As Jesus is ousting these cheats, he quotes the Scripture: “It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers!”
Now Jesus is in the temple, teaching the disciples as much as possible, knowing his time to teach is almost gone. During these teachings, Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Behind Jesus, inside the temple, his disciples can hear rich people coming forward to make generous donations, sounding trumpets as they do so to gain the maximum amount of public acclaim. But after the rich people have gone, one humble little lady creeps to the offering box and quietly drops in two small coins, the smallest denomination possible. As the Son of God, Jesus knows this woman and points her out to the disciples, explaining that she has made a more significant contribution than all those rich show-offs. The rich people may have given liberally, but they have plenty of wealth left. This little lady has gladly given God everything she possesses. Jesus wants his disciples to take note, for soon they too will be called on to give everything they have, including their lives.
Jesus continues to warn his disciples to be watchful, using fig trees as an illustration. Fig trees bear leaves and fruit at the same time, and the fruiting of the fig trees heralds the beginning of summer. In the same manner, Jesus says, the Kingdom of God will manifest itself so unmistakably that nobody can doubt its arrival. Jesus warns the disciples to be careful to focus on the Kingdom of God and not to become ensnared in earthly problems.
The disciples probably are listening but not really comprehending how urgently Jesus wants them to understand these truths. After all, Jesus has just entered Jerusalem to shouting and singing crowds. Surely, the religious authorities will be afraid to do anything to him. No, this Passover should be a lovely peaceful one, and the disciples are looking forward to celebrating the festival. Jesus is the only one who realizes what is about to happen to him.
Today is the Wednesday of Easter week, the day before Maundy Thursday and the horrors of Good Friday. Throughout Lent, we have been looking at some of Jesus’ teachings from the Book of Luke, realizing that throughout his ministry, Jesus was always preparing his followers for his death and resurrection.
What might we learn from the story of this humble lady recklessly casting everything she owns into the offering chest out of love for God? How much does our faith cost us? Is a faith that costs nothing really faith or a social convention?
Are we looking for the appearing of the Kingdom of God, or are we allowing our problems to overwhelm us? In a few days, we will celebrate the joys of Easter, but for now, we need to ask ourselves these questions. The magnificent thing for those of us who live this side of Calvary is that we KNOW that Jesus will be resurrected and that the Kingdom of God continues to be with us. But let’s remember that widow lady and her two copper coins. How much are we willing to risk for the sake of Christ and the Kingdom of God? We need to decide because those fig trees are beginning to put out leaves. The Kingdom of God is here; are we entering into it fully?
May God help us, so that we will joyfully give whatever He asks, knowing that He has already given us so much more!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to sacrifice whatever You ask, knowing that You only want the very best for us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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