Luke 21: 1-9….. At the temple…

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he!’ and, The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

Comment: I love this old lady; I love her commitment; I love her generosity. How truly Jesus sees motives more than show.

• I love the old lady’s commitment. I hope that she wasn’t trying to buy her right-standing in God’s sight. Religion can be a matter of works. And I hope that some wealthy neighbour seeing her generosity, helped her in some real way. I hope that she had enough to have a meal that night. That’s all in my imagination. Jesus comment was that her half-penny was more than a New Mercedes for the High Priest!
• Covered in gold, shining in the bright rays of the sunlight, built with such commitment and talent, the temple was a thing of great beauty. While some could comment on the magnificence they saw, Jesus looking down the years saw it all destroyed. And history tells us that He saw it correctly. Obviously both He and His disciples were very aware of the underlying attitude of the leaders mixed with the atmosphere impregnated with talk about the Messiah’s coming. They ask ‘when?’. He skips the question and talks about His returning. Presumably they were beginning to come to grips with His near death. This is a precis no doubt of their conversation but He talks, not about the temple, but about His return. War, troubles, false Messiahs – but not immediately. Things will come to an end but not immediately. Years later we are still waiting!
• Meanwhile Passover is only a couple of days away, and the crowds are gathering in the city..

Prayer: I’m asking today, Lord, for insight, patience and Hope. Please….