Jesus Lays Out the Scribes
The text this week is Mark 12:38-44. This sees Jesus in a reversal from last week’s commendation of the scribes, take out after them for being hypocrites. Jesus teaches that we should beware of those who like to go around in long robes looking like they are all that. They seek to be greeted with respect in the street and get the best seats in the synagogues and at banquets. The image that comes to mind is that of the Black Hand Mafia boss Fanucci in Godfather Part II.
Jesus then calls them out for all this while “They devour widows’ houses” (Verse 40). In short they are taking advantage of those in need of help (no one may be more in need of help in 1st. century Palestine than widows) while they live high on the hog. Indeed, they are the poster children for form over substance.
We may be tempted to nod our heads and think “how typical of those days”. Yet, when we consider the excesses of some modern day “preachers”, have we really progressed much at all?
What Substance Really Looks Like
Jesus then goes on to teach us what real sacrifice and service is. He notices a poor widow putting two small copper coins into the offering box. He points out that this poor woman has given more than anyone else who has contributed to the treasury. This woman gave “out of her poverty”, the others out of their abundance. She put in all that she had to live on. This is clearly based on her pure and deep faith that God would provide, and that she would not be forsaken. This is the uplifting of substance over form.
This is a hard lesson to take to heart and replicate. How many of us are able to do what this poor widow did? Most of the faithful cannot even get to the biblically suggested tithe of 10%. Yet, the example of the poor widow is the gold standard for faith and response to that faith. In any event, we should think hard about how we may be playing out the role of the scribes in our lives by lifting up form over substance, via self-aggrandizing behavior. Then we should at least all strive to do better in the way we respond to the gifts that God has given us. Hopefully in some small way we can come a little closer to the example set by the poor widow. She stands as the exemplar of what it is to believe and obey.
Praise Be to God
