Day 32 – What do we value?
Mark 12:35-44
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Liz Nixon writes:
This is Jesus' last time teaching within the Temple at Jerusalem. The book of Mark is picking up speed, and we are heading quickly towards His death. Jesus uses this opportunity to once more correct the thinking and understanding of the religious leaders of the day - you can see why they wanted to get rid of Him! They've referred to the Messiah as David's son, but missed the fact that David sees the Messiah as His Lord. The religious leaders are supposed to be teaching the people how to honour and worship God, but instead are swanning around, impressed with their own importance and neglecting their duties. Jesus finishes His teaching by highlighting the humility of a woman sacrificially giving a few coins, contrasting what we have seen of the foolish leaders.
Jesus' last teaching at the Temple speaks volumes about what He values - humility, sacrifice and truth. What would you teach on? What do you most value?