All In!

February 4, 2024
Pastor Jack

two coins

Mark 12:38-44

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like walking around in long robes and greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets, who devour the houses of widows and pray lengthy prayers for the sake of appearance. These will receive more severe condemnation!” And he sat down opposite the contribution box and was observing how the crowd was putting coins into the contribution box. And many rich people were putting in many coins. And one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins (that is, a penny). And summoning his disciples, he said to them, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than all those who put offerings into the contribution box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in everything she had, her whole means of subsistence.”

Guys, She Gets It!

Beware of the Scribes

Mark 12:38–40 (ESV):

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.”

  • What’s happening here in this passage?
    • In the previous verses, was it not a scribe that seemed to have a sincere question for Jesus?
    • Describe in your own words, in today’s setting, what Jesus is saying here.

The Widow’s Offering

Mark 12:41–44 (ESV):

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.”

  • What do you see in this scene?
    • What are the “rich people” doing?
    • What is the widow doing?

Thoughts for Reflection

  • Look back to verses (Mark 12) 29-31
    • How does the widow’s actions connect with this idea?
  • Do you hold God in higher esteem than:
    • Your employer?
    • Your bank account?
    • Your standing among others?
    • Your family?
    • Your time and pocessions?
  • God desires and the church needs people to serve God!
    • We need to come to God, offering all of ourselves!
    • Stop talking and start doing!

Matthew 9:38 (ESV):

38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

  • Are you praying earestly to the Lord to send out laborers at Bethlehem?
  • Are you willing to obey if the Lord is calling you?
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