The God Pause Daily Devotional from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 9 November 2018 - Mark 12:38-44

The God Pause Daily Devotional from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for 

Friday, 9 November 2018 -  Mark 12:38-44 Mark 12:38 As he taught them, he said, “Watch out for the kind of Torah-teachers who like to walk around in robes and be greeted deferentially in the marketplaces, 39 who like to have the best seats in the synagogues and take the places of honor at banquets, 40 who like to swallow up widows’ houses while making a show of davvening at great length. Their punishment will be all the worse!” 41 Then Yeshua sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the crowd as they put money into the offering-boxes. Many rich people put in large sums, 42 but a poor widow came and put in two small coins. 43 He called his talmidim to him and said to them, “Yes! I tell you, this poor widow has put more in the offering-box than all the others making donations. 44 For all of them, out of their wealth, have contributed money they can easily spare; but she, out of her poverty, has given everything she had to live on.” (Complete Jewish Bible). *** After Jesus condemns the scribes for trampling on the widows while scrambling to gain respect and make an impressive appearance, as if planned by God, a widow makes her way up to the treasury and puts in all of her money. We can miss this connection in our reading if we separate Mark 12:38-40 from 12:41-44. But making the link is important, because it changes how we understand Jesus' reaction to the widow. Without the aforementioned verses about the scribes, it can sound like Jesus is proud that the widow is giving everything she has. However, making the link lifts up consideration of what the scribes have done to her; it reminds us that they have not been taking care of her as the scriptures demand. Then we may also note a Jesus whose anger may stem from the fact that she has been left with only two coins to live on. Making this interpretative connection also invites each of us readers today to consider for whom we are called to care, and how. God, help us to see the invisible. Guide our eyes and hearts to see all of your children with the same eyes with which you see them, and with the same love with which you love them. In Jesus' name. Amen. Emily Martin, '17 Associate Pastor, Cambridge Lutheran Church, Cambridge, Minn.

Mark 12:38 As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." 41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."1 (New Revised Standard Version).

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