TWO COPPER COINS

They spent time getting dressed.  Picking out their best robe.  After all, they wanted to be seen.  How great it was to walk into the temple and be treated with respect.  Just last night they had the best seat at a banquet.  And today they would be in the most important seats in the synagogue.  They were prepared to offer long prayers that would make people take notice.  It was unimportant that they had taken a few houses away from widows.  They were the teachers of the law. 

She looked at the tattered edges.  But her clothes were clean.  Besides, who would notice her?  Only a widow.  That is what she was:  a widow.  If she hurried she would be in the woman’s court early and she could slip in quietly.  She could drop her money --- money?  It was not even enough to be called money.  What use were two copper coins?  She hesitated and wondered if she could, just this once, miss temple.  She decided if she looked at the floor she would not see the disgust in the eyes of those who judge what she put in.  Slowly, she closed the door, entered the street and became invisible.

Jesus sat opposite the temple treasury as the rich put in large amounts.  He watched as the teachers of the law made their way to their seats.  Then he saw her.  Bent over, trying to melt into the floor.  She approached the treasury, wearing the best she had.  Quickly she dropped two copper coins into the treasury.  Quickly so no one would notice how little she gave.

We know very little about the widow in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.  Only four verses.  But I can picture the whole scene.  It is as if I am watching it unfold in front of my eyes.

Jesus is in the middle.  Calmly watching the people.  The disciples are off in the corner discussing yesterday’s activities.  The teachers of the law are making a grand entrance.  Others, the rich and the not so rich, are mingling and dropping their money in the treasury as they head to the different areas of the temple. 

It is then the widow enters.  Looking around she realizes she did not get there early.  She will not walk in alone.  She will be seen.  She will have to drop her coins in … she will have to drop her coins in and they will all see there are only two copper coins.  Only two.

The disciples hear Jesus calling them and they go to him.  Jesus tells them about the widow.  Jesus tells them about her extravagant gift.  Jesus tells them…

These verses on the widow’s offering are used often.  It is used to encourage us to be generous givers.  To give out of love and not show.

BUT –

I see this in a different light.  JESUS SAW HER!!!

The life of a widow was hard.  (The story of Ruth is a big exception to the life of most widows.)  She would not have inherited an estate.  Maybe a small settlement to help with expenses, but that would not have lasted long.  She had no way to support herself and had to be dependent on her son(s) or the generosity of the community.  She could only take the leftovers from the fields.  She could not easily remarry.  She would be invisible so people would not feel guilty about her poverty. 

Invisible!  But JESUS SAW HER. 

In her poverty.  In her tattered clothing.  In her humility of only putting in two coins.  JESUS SAW HER.

In that instant, Jesus saw her humble heart.  He saw her struggles.  In that instant, she was not invisible.

I wish Luke and Mark had told the rest of the story because I do not think it ended with Jesus pointing out this woman to his disciples.  I think Jesus approached the widow.  I think Jesus gently held her hands.  I think Jesus assured her that she was not invisible.  I think Jesus assured her that she was valued and loved.

And he assures us of exactly the same things.  JESUS SAW HER.  JESUS SEES YOU.

WHY DOES HE DO THAT?

A few years back, a Sunday School Class I was teaching studied God in the Flesh: What Speechless Lawyers, Kneeling Soldiers and Shocked Crowds Teach Us about Jesus.  The author is Don Everts. 

Before we started the book, I asked the class to describe Jesus.  What do we know about him?  These are a few of the words they used:

Healer/Great Physician      Forgiver

Human Qualities      Mortal

Consistent      Approachable

Teacher      All Knowing

Son of God      Amazing

As we studied, we learned to think about who Jesus was interacting with and where he was at the time.  We read what Jesus said, but we also talked about why he said those words.

When our children were small, I often said things to Bill so the children would overhear.  I might tell Bill how bad my day was because Willie wouldn’t do his chores.  Or Terri would not pick up the toys.  Then Bill would come back with, “Oh I am so sorry you have had such a bad day.  I thought we would go to the Dairy Queen for ice cream, but now I think we will just stay home so you can relax.”  Without yelling at the children or even speaking to them directly, they realized there were consequences to their actions.

Jesus often did the same thing.

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished most severely.”    Luke 20:45-47

Just exactly who did Jesus want to hear these words?  Luke 20 tells us that Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts when the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders showed up and questioned him.  They were determined to trick Jesus so they could have him arrested.  But Jesus came out on top every time and they finally gave up.  Jesus talked to his disciples knowing the priests, teachers and elders were still standing around listening.  Without speaking to them directly, Jesus let them know there would be consequences for their actions

.

Jesus spoke to the woman at the well – a Samaritan woman.  He stayed in a Samaritan town.  Jesus’ actions shouted, “I am for everyone!” 

Jesus knelt beside the woman caught in adultery and told those surrounding her to throw a stone – if they were without sin.  Jesus allowed them to leave without giving a sermon.  They learned from the words he did not say.

Jesus took a small child upon his lap and, to a world where children were disposable, declared “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Holding a child Jesus taught those around him that children are valuable and should be treated that way.

What Jesus said is recorded in red letters.  We need to remember his words.  But we need to understand why he said them.  We need to know who he was speaking to.  We need to know why he held the child.  Why he knelt beside the woman.  Why he had the Samaritan women get him a drink.  And why he spoke so the religious leaders would hear him.

When we finished the book, I asked the class to describe Jesus.  The description changed.  We saw Jesus, not for what he could do for us but why he did it.

He became human because he is obedient.

He teaches because he is wise.

He gives peace because he is a counselor

He heals because he is compassionate.

He forgives because he is loving.

He is ever present because he is eternal.

When we read the Bible.  When we read about Jesus, we need to do more than read the words.  We need to picture what was going on around Jesus.  We need to know the culture, because what Jesus said and his actions were radical at the time. 

When we know why he said something or why he did something, we will see the character of Jesus. 

REST

My blog today will be short.  I promise!  My hand is telling me it needs to rest instead of doing so much on the computer and iPad.

God rested.  After all that creating, I would say he deserved a rest.  (Genesis 2:2-3)

We are often so busy; there is no time to just be still.  We are a “right now” society and have forgotten how to be patient.  (Psalms 37:7)

Jesus told his disciples to rest.  (Mark 6:31)

My all-time favorite scripture on rest --

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-29

How about you?  Do you need to rest?  God rested.  It is perfectly fine for you to do the same!

I told you – short. 

CELEBRATE EACH DAY!!!

HONORING A FRIENDSHIP

We lived in Michigan for four years and were many miles from my family.  It was hubby, a four year old boy, a three month old girl, a mother-in-law suffering from dementia and me.  It was a learning experience!  Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I quickly learned how to call a doctor I had never met.  A little boy, burning up with a fever, and a very scared mommy was assured it would be fine.  Bill and I learned to rely on each other.  We learned how to deal with small children and a very special lady who lived in her own world.

Those four years were full of very little money, laughter and hard work.  When we left, there was one extremely valuable thing we took with us and cherish to this day:  a friendship.

And Sunday we traveled back to honor that friendship as we attended the visitation for Wayne.  We did the same for Mary a few years back.

Wayne and Mary – I could fill a book of how they encouraged, accepted, helped and welcomed us into their lives.  I do not remember how we met.  I am sure Bill met Wayne when he needed a part fixed.

Wayne, like many men his age, only finished the eighth grade.  The thing is Wayne had a gift.  He could see a problem and build something to take care of it.  A broken part – he could make it.  A machine to make parts – he would build it.  It amazed us when this humble man would tell about working for GM and traveling the world.  He told about $800 – 1,000 meals in Brussels.  (That would be around $8,000 today.)  When he was in New York, he would hire a taxi for the day.  When in Los Angeles, he would use a helicopter.  His wife would meet him at the airport and they would exchange suitcases.  Mary would go back home and Wayne would fly away. 

Mary was … Well, she was Mary.  You had to know her.  She raised the girls, took care of the home and supported Wayne.  She had a smile that lit up her face and she was part monkey.  One time, I was trying to figure out how I was going to paint a stairway that led to the basement.  No problem for her.  She brought over a couple of boards and, I swear, hung from the ceiling as she painted away.  Mary filled a spot in my life that needed filled and she did it with quiet dignity.

They had two daughters, Judy and Susie.  Wonderful girls and Susie was the right age to babysit.  Plus, our daughter thought Susie was her best friend ever, although they did ask if Terri could not eat onions before coming over. 

If you drove into their yard, you would not believe your eyes.  They lived simply.  BUT, there was the area Wayne called his.  The Shop!  Machines of every description.  Our son swore Wayne had every tool ever invented.  Plus hit and miss engines, one of which ran on lard.  Plus old tractors.  Plus a car he bought at an auction.  He carried it home in a bushel basket and, way before google, Wayne researched what parts were missing.  Eventually, a car called Orient sat in their garage.

They helped us move.  They visited and spent many New Year’s Day enjoying a meal with our family and friends.  They even took one of our cats on vacation.  It was not intentional.  The small kitten crawled into the wheel well.  They discovered the stowaway when they heard a funny sound.  Each time they had coffee; they would keep the creamer and give it to the kitten.  On their way home, they stopped, knocked on the door and asked, “Did you miss this little guy?”

The memories are there:  A 25^th Anniversary.  A 50^th Anniversary.  A dog named Gretchen.  A mountain of shopping carts.  (A whole story by itself.)  Two children who fell asleep on their floor as easily as they fell asleep at home.  Wayne and Bill standing under a tree talking.  Mary and I being friends. 

Today I honor a friendship.  A friendship that lasted over years and miles.  A friendship that blessed our lives from the time we heard, “Hi my name is Wayne and this is my wife, Mary.”