She came quietly into the Temple and, slipping unnoticed through the crowds, made her way steadily towards the treasury, that huge box into which people were throwing their monetary gifts. She was a widow and very poor; she had just two small copper coins clutched in her hand. The rich people were tossing lavish amounts into the offering, but she wasn’t deterred, and unobtrusively dropped in her two coins. She probably didn’t notice the young man nearby watching the scene, but He noticed her and was impressed. “‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’” [Luke 21:3-4]. Even though we don’t know who she was, this woman has been immortalised by Yahshua’s notice, and her unselfish action has encouraged, heartened, inspired and instructed generations of believers.
Did this abandoned act of generosity strike a chord in Yahshua’s heart? He was in Jerusalem for the Passover, and He had come up to this Feast to die. He, too, would be giving everything that He had! The One who gave everything can ask for everything and the longer we walk with Him, the more He requires. It’s heart-warming to realise that, when we give, however much, or whatever, that may be, Yahshua sees beyond the giving to the impulse of the heart. He notices not just the gift, but everything that the gift has cost.
Yahshua knew how poor the widow lady was, and He knew she had given everything. He notices the struggles that we have, the sacrifices we make, the temptations we resist and all those times we put someone else’s need before our own. Those seemingly insignificant occasions when you thought no-one noticed the effort, the drudgery, the small victory? He was there - watching, noticing, appreciating all that it meant and all that it cost.
Lockdown has made us notice and appreciate many of the caring individuals who people our world. Yahshua has always noticed, even as He has noticed you; is there someone you can encourage this week by taking time to notice them?
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Psalm 40:1-2 NIV - Psalm 40 - For the director of music. - Bible Gateway
If you feel that your life is in a rut. If you feel trapped by anything that you can’t seem to get out of. [Yahweh] is the [Elohim] of wonderful change. He will release you, whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
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