SHE KNEW

We trace a beautiful story from the gospels,

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 few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, 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.” (Mark 12: 41-44)

What was so special about her that Jesus elevated her beyond the others? The answer is simple- ‘she knew’.

To understand this better a passage from Paul as he addresses the Ephesians is helpful.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians1:17-19)

Paul’s prayer and heartfelt desire for the disciples at Ephesus was a trifecta of knowledge- the hope that awaits, the riches that saints inherit and the incomparable power available through faith. In many ways this can be summarized as the journey a pilgrim undertakes here on earth- to constantly know better this trifecta that is the essence of Christianity. The woman who gave the copper coins exemplifies a person who is quite advanced in that journey.

She knew that the hope that awaits is beyond valuable. A person who has perfected hope, and lives in anticipation of that fact, is fazed by neither prosperity nor adversity here on earth. There is a sense of evenness in one’s response to the variables of life- there is neither a superlative excitement with success nor a downcast demeanor with failure, rather a stoic acceptance in the light of the perfect eternity that awaits.

She knew that those who believe are rich. She did not consider herself as a poor person, or else she would not have given her copper coins as an offering. She understood that true riches are not measured in terms of the material possessions one has, rather by the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the abundance of joy, peace, patience and love that fills one’s innermost being.

She knew the incomparable power of God that is at work on the behalf of those who believe. She didn’t doubt for a moment that even if she were to give away all she had, God could in an instant provide her with much more to sustain her. So when the call came to give up all she had, she did not hesitate.

The gospels give us accounts of a few people who were truly special and earned Jesus’ praise. At a time when the Spirit of God had not yet come on to the world, to be able to demonstrate a maturity that most disciples even in our age struggle to replicate is truly remarkable. Two cents given out of the depths of love and obedience is far more valuable to God than riches and effort borne out of disdain and tradition.

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