Tag: Mark 12
Jesus sees our giving!
Scripture reading for February 25: Mark 12
“And He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 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. 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.”” Mark 12:41-44
God is Love and love means giving and generosity is a result of that love. God, Himself, is a cheerful and generous Giver. “For God so loved the world, He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 When on earth, right before leaving earth, Jesus took a seat opposite the temple treasury. There He observed those who gave and how much they put in in relation to what they had in their possession. He called His disciples over to comment on those giving and told them that the poor widow had put in the most in comparison to what she had.
That poor widow had put in two small copper coins that equaled on penny. The others had put in much more. But it was the widow who caught Jesus’ attention so much that He used her gift and giving heart as an example of what God holds dear. Jesus sees things differently than the world. Jesus sees our hearts and attitudes. He values faith and the widow gave all she had in trust that God would take care of her needs. She gave as an act of worship that pleased God extravagantly! God took notice and we are remembering her giving and attitude yet today! Jesus boasted to His disciples about her attitude.
When it comes to giving at church, do you ever think that God is watching you and your attitude? How would Jesus evaluate your giving in relation to what He has blessed you with? What worth do you ascribe to God with your worship through giving?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your love and giving of Your Son that we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Him. Help me to please You with my giving to You as You have blessed me. Teach me to truly worship You through giving. Amen.
The greatest commandment!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: Mark 12:28-31 “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Religious people like to discuss theology and God’s word. It was no different in Jesus’ day. The teachers of this time had identified the ten Mosaic commandments and over 600 other commandment from the Scriptures. Each teacher had their own interpretations of the various laws and scriptures. One of these law teachers came to Jesus with an honest question: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus did not hesitate for a moment, but identified two that comprised the greatest commandment: Love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus taught that these two summed up all the laws of God. In loving God, we eliminate idolatry and giving God second place. We won’t profane His name or His day–the Sabbath. In loving our neighbor, we won’t murder, commit adultery, lie, steal or covet and we will honor our father and mother. This complete love fulfills the law.
Observations for over-comers: Love involves relationship–first with God and also with our neighbor and ourselves! Love never fails! “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness of His own name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
The most important commandment!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 12
As the earthly ministry of Jesus came to a conclusion, He was questioned by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Their goal was to trap him and Jesus knew it. (Mark 12:15) These religious leaders were hypocrites! They claimed to love God and love their neighbor, but they were seeking to kill Jesus. He was the Son of God and their neighbor! Jesus answered their questions and amazed them at His simple wisdom and ability to answer.
One of the teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31) Jesus answered this teacher with simple truth and the man agreed! Jesus told him that he was not far from the kingdom of God.
This man was close, but still could not get into the kingdom by keeping this great commandment. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, perfectly loved God. He demonstrated this love by keeping all the commandments. He, alone, has loved God with all His heart, soul, mind and strength. He, alone has loved His neighbor as Himself! In faith in Jesus Christ we are given the righteousness that we need to enter the kingdom of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:21) Strive to love God and obey Him but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and given the keys to God’s kingdom!