1 Samuel 16:7b …for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
We are presented with a study of contrasts in Mark 12:35-44. Jesus’ question about His identity stands in contrast with the “loop hole” questions that He was asked by the religious frauds of the day. In verse 35, Jesus asks the question, “How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?” Warren Wiersbe writes: This is a far more important question than the ones His enemies had asked Him, for if we are wrong about Jesus Christ, we are wrong about salvation. So many people get all tangled up with questions about the bible that have no real bearing on his or her eternal destiny. When you read the claims of Jesus in Scripture, C.S. Lewis said that you would have to conclude that He was either a liar, a lunatic, or LORD. The real question, dear reader, is this: who is Jesus Christ according to you? What effect does Jesus Christ have in your day-to-day living?
The other contrast we see is this poor widow and the religious hucksters who ripped off widows. Mark writes: “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” What a stinging rebuke! How true that God does not see people the way that man sees people (1 Samuel 16:7b). Religious people have the capacity to talk and even act “holy”. This poor widow has been placed in the Scripture as an example of what true devotion and giving is all about. This woman’s example of dedication and sacrificial giving stands in stark contrast to the “what’s-in-it-for-me” attitude that is so prevalent in today’s contemporary church. The depth of this poor widow’s love and devotion was rich in the eyes of God. Her sacrificial giving and living were an overflow of a heart that loved God and was truly devoted to Him and His kingdom. Amen. Selah
