It seems like everyday there are more and more spam or scam emails in my electronic mailbox than legitimate communication notices. Recently, I have received emails from a variety of scammers parading as: the IRS, energy company, state toll agency, bank loan applications, credit card applications, and emails wanting verification for purchases. They start off with “Mary” and then wrap their scams around something that actually could apply to me in order to impersonate me elsewhere.
These scammers—real people who many times work in “scam farms”—find a way to hide their identity while invading every aspect of other people’s private lives in order to rob, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). They are the greedy and willing hosts of Satan who prey upon the innocent with malicious intent. Jesus teaches there will be a special place in hell waiting for them. Please be careful and don’t be a victim of Satan’s schemes.
In our passage from Luke, today, Jesus is also teaching about a parade of deceived, prideful, selfish, and uncaring people. However, Jesus is referring to the arrogant religious leaders who will glean the worst eternal punishment, because they are unwilling to demonstrate mercy; they portray no revelation of God’s heart for his creation. To act in such a fashion is to neglect God’s law. They were not living examples of his love even though they enjoyed parading as such.
In contrast, today, Jesus wants his disciples/us to meet the poor widow who gives a sacrificial gift; she must trust God to take care of her as she has very few resources. Yet, Almighty God notices her heart and generosity. Jesus cares about how his children treat others and what motivates our actions. He is not impressed with religious deeds when human hearts are filled with selfishness and pride. Love must move us…if we are going to please God.
Luke 20:45-21:4 NLT
45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”
The Widow’s Offering
21 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.
3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving this truth to our hearts. May we put on mercy each day while at the same time speaking the truth in love. Only you can help us accomplish these pure actions, Holy Spirit. So, we surrender to you and invite you to lead us on a journey of mercy and generosity, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.