In The Word
Read: Luke 21:1-24
The Widow’s Gift
21 Now He looked up and saw the wealthy putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta coins.3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all contributed to the offering from their surplus; but she, from her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”
5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and vowed gifts, He said, 6 “As for these things which you are observing, the days will come when there will not be left one stone upon another, which will not be torn down.”
7 They asked Him questions, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and revolts, do not be alarmed; for these things must take place first, but the end will not followimmediately.”
Things to Come
10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be massive earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors on account of My name. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute. 16 But you will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all people because of My name. 18 And yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of punishment, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled.23 Woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people; 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Jesus watched people put their financial offerings in the temple treasury, including rich people putting in large amounts. But what caught His attention was a widow who put in two small coins, which was all she had to live on. The disciples commented how the temple was beautifully adorned with precious stones and metals, but Jesus told them in the future it would be destroyed and its treasures plundered. Jesus was not impressed with the temple’s beauty and riches or the rich people’s large gifts, but He was impressed with the widow’s sacrifice and generosity. I am reminded of the song lyrics, “Had I riches, I would bring them. Had I kingdoms, I would lose them. Had I the world, too small a gift would it be for You” (“What Can I Bring”).
Jesus then warned the disciples of future disasters, tribulations, wars, and persecution so they would not be afraid or deceived. They would be even betrayed by family members and would have to stand before authorities to defend themselves for their stand for Jesus. Yet in these troubles God would be with them, and He said, “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony” (Luke 21:13). Jesus encouraged them, “Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:18-19).
Do not be consumed with riches or concerned about troubling events around you. Rather, focus on God and be willing to give Him all of your life. He will protect you.