Crumbs 132 a new perspective
35 Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 For David himself said in the Holy Spirit,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at
my right hand,
until I make your enemies
the footstool of your feet.”’Psalm
110:1 37 Therefore
David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?”
The common people heard him
gladly. 38 In his teaching he said to them, “Beware
of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings
in the marketplaces, 39 and the best seats in the
synagogues, and the best places at feasts: 40 those who
devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These
will receive greater condemnation.”
41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury,
and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were
rich cast in much. 42 A poor widow came, and she cast in
two small brass coins,[a] which
equal a quadrans coin.[b] 43 He
called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most
certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who
are giving into the treasury, 44 for they all gave out of
their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had
to live on.”
Some of us find the truths of the faith difficult to grasp. We may be able to repeat them parrot fashion but they are not a part of the fabric of our souls. Jesus is weaning His hearers on to the reality of His identity. He is the Messiah! Jesus points them to parts of Scripture with which they may have difficulty. It is often in confronting problems that we learn fresh truth. We are on a path of growth in our relationship with and knowledge of our Lord Jesus
It is far too easy for a community of faith to reduce that faith to a culture of pious exhibitionism. There is a temptation to fit into the church group we belong to, to speak the in language and to put on a super spiritual mask when we meet. Even worse there is the danger of looking down on folk who do not fit in as we do and to take pride in our place within the group
The incident of the widow’s mite reveals a different perspective from our culture. In charities today the size of donated sums is trumpeted. I would not criticize their work but the Bible teaches that giving is a matter of the heart . Jesus’ teaching introduces us to a new perspective, a perspective we need for today.
What truths of the faith do you find difficult to grasp and what would help you grasp them ?
What forms of exhibitionism spoil today’s worship ?.
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