He said, "I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
The poor widow gives out of her need rather than out of her surplus. But just what is it about a gift like this that Jesus praises? Superficially, it seems obviously heroic. But if we think about it more it begins to seem imprudent. Wouldn't there, we wonder, be a better long term strategy? Surely Jesus is not praising brash decisions.
Yet Jesus calls those who follow him to leave all that they have. He calls them to choose for him and his kingdom and to close the door on other options.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
And herein lies the key to the widow's greatness. She could have kept those last two small coins to try to preserve whatever options she had left. Most likely, it wouldn't have amounted to much. Instead, she gave all she had. We can see in this choice more than simply an impressive charitable act. It was rather a vote of complete confidence in the LORD and his ability to sustain her. Once she gave all she knew that she could rely completely on the LORD. Would he meet her needs? Would he bring her home to himself? She did not know. But she trusted nonetheless.
It is only people who can close the door on some possibilities and choose Jesus who are able to follow him, the Lamb, wherever he goes. Others go part way, but want to keep their options open. They don't want to spend their options in order to continue walking with him. But for those who are able to give away the old in the hope of the new there is a reward kept in store.
They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne,
before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand
who had been ransomed from the earth.
These, like the widow, have traded old coins, old options, and old lives, for a new song of praise to God.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
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