[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.”
(Mark 12:41-44 ESV)
I can imagine Jesus during this scene, as he sits down, with delighted eyes as He intentionally watches many people offer their gifts to His Father... He continues to watch as many people give their offering to His Father, who is worthy of their love...then comes a poor widow who stands out from everyone in the eyes of Jesus. Though society would not regard her as someone of great significance, nevertheless she stood out above everyone in the eyes of the One who was watching her. No one was probably watching her when she put it the two small copper coins (These two copper coins were worth about 1/64 of a denarius, which was a day’s wage for a laborer) and even if someone did they would not have regarded her offering as anything worth of value. Yet she stood out above everyone else in the eyes of the One who truly sees. Jesus’ heart was so thrilled that He gathered His disciples together and praised this widow among them. I could imagine the myriads of angels “leaning forward on their seats”, with marvel in their eyes, as they watched this poor widow offer up her two small copper coins,which was all that she had to live on. Jesus’ said that she had put in everything that she had.
It wasn’t just the two small copper coins that she offered up, she offered up her life and her heart. The principle is true that where our money goes that is where our heart is. In the eyes of the world these two small copper coins weren’t of great significance. But in the eyes of the One who truly sees her heart, this offering was of great value. The whole community of angels and God’s people in heaven must have been rejoicing during that time as they watched the Father’s heart undone by the love that this poor widow had offered.
There is no higher pleasure than offering up our love to the Lord. This is what we were created for. The Lord created our hearts with the longing to wholeheartedly give our lives for something or someone great. The human heart cannot experience the fullness that it was created for unless it has something that is worth dying for. This is when fullness of joy comes.
We all desire to be part of something great and do great exploits. This is true for every person since God created us that way. The doctor goes to school for many years so that he can help the lives of others. The youth pastor attends a seminary for four years because he wants to make a life changing impact on the youth. The teacher studies at a university for years in order to impact the next generation. We desire to make a big impact in the lives of others and there is something fulfilling when it happens. Yet the greatest impact that we can make is with God Himself.
9 You have ravished my heart,
My sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart
With one look of your eyes,
With one link of your necklace.
10 How fair is your love,
My sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices!
(Song of Solomon 4:9-10 NKJV)
Did you know that He is undone by every choice of love that you make for Him? There is no greater exploit that we can do than to move the heart of God. No other impact that we can make in the universe can compare to the impact that we make when we move the heart of God. Yes, you move the heart of the Great One! Though no one may see your obedience to Him throughout the day yet He sees! It is a memorial before Him forever! Our success in life is not based on how much money we make, what type of house we are living in, what kind of job we have, what relationships we are in or are not in, nor is it based on our reputation before men. Our joy in life is based on the fact that I we are loved by God Himself and that we give Him joy when we obey Him, though no one else may see. This is where we find true success and identity.
No one else can love God the way that you do. You are uniquely created to love God with the unique personality and circumstances that He has ordained for you. No one else BUT YOU as an individual can give Him that type of love! Neither your pastor nor your best friend nor your co-worker nor any angel in heaven. He says that your love is better than anything in the universe that He has created. “How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!” (Song of Solomon 4:10 ESV)
You don’t have to earn a degree or make a lot of money to make a big impact. You can make the greatest impact in the mundane day to day of life as you respond to Him in love. His heart is truly undone by just one glance of your eyes towards Him. How much more a steady gaze! May the Lord change our definition of what true success and identity is. Amen.
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