For this poor widow there was no Social Security, no pension, no monthly check she would be receiving now that her husband was gone. Widows were quite vulnerable. Jesus even indicated her poverty, when he said that those two coins were all she had. If indeed, she did give all she had, she must have done it trusting that God would provide her with her daily bread. That's a tremendous amount of trust.
Some of you may have read George S. Clason's book, THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON. The most important teaching in Clason's book is that the person wanting to be rich should give away ten percent of everything he or she earns. Why? According to Clason there are some deep subconscious, psychological principles.
The first is that you should put back what you take out. The second is that the act of giving ten percent creates value for yourself and others. But I was drawn to his third reason for giving ten percent away. When we do that, according to Clason, it says to the world and to our own subconscious mind that there is more than enough, that we expect life to keep providing what we need.
This poor widow trusted that there was more than enough in God's storehouse and that God would provide. That's the kind of trust we need to have.
Dear God, thank you for taking care of my needs. Help me to trust you more. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. (Mark 12:42 NRSV Bible)
Henry Moorhouse tells of a lady who said to him, " I can't see how a person who has broken just one of the commandments can be as bad as another who has broken five or even all of them." Moorhouse explained to her that God had actually given only one law which consists of ten different parts. "Look at this watch of mine!" he said. "If you counted all its cogs, you would find many. If you ruined only one, you might leave the other parts in perfect condition, and yet this would be a broken watch and would no longer run."
The woman still couldn't see the point; so he said, "Suppose you were hanging over a canyon, suspended by a chain with ten links. If someone took a hammer and smashed every link, where would you go?" "To the bottom of the canyon, of course," she said. "But if he severed only one link, what would happen?" "Why, that would be just as bad," she said, "I'd still fall and be killed!" Suddenly she grasped the truth that whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
It is good to know that Jesus paid the price for our inablility to fulfull the whole law. God's love and grace abounds.
God of grace and love, help me to follow your commands of love. In Jesus name. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2.10 NRSV Bible)
A group of first graders got together and decided to write their own version of the Nativity. It was more modern than the traditional drama. Oh, there were the familiar members of the cast: Joseph, the shepherds, the three wise men, the star and an angel propped up in the background. But Mary was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly from behind some bales of hay could be heard some soft moans and groans. Evidently Mary was in labor.
Soon a doctor arrived dressed in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck. Joseph, with a look of relief on his face takes the doctor straight to Mary, then starts pacing back and forth. After a few moments the "doctor" emerges with a big smile on his face. "Congratulations, Joseph," he says, "It's a God!"
Indeed, during this season we celebrate God coming to us in the form of Jesus Christ. Who was born in a manager in Bethlehem to be our savior.
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to be my savior. May I not take you for granted, especially during this great and holy season. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries. (Psalm 17:7 NRSV Bible)
The angel told Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, "Go quickly and tell his disciples. 'He has been raised from the dead.'" They would be the first ones to tell the good news--that Jesus is alive!
As they where hurrying out of the cemetery, they ran into Jesus. "Greetings!" Jesus said to the women. It was the happiest reunion anyone could ever imagine. Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Notice that Jesus called his disciples, "my brothers." This is the only place in Matthew's gospel where he called them "brothers." Everywhere else he refers to them as "disciples."
This is especially remarkable when you remember that the disciples had deserted Jesus in his hour of need. Peter had denied even knowing him. That was all in the past. The Master had work for them to do. They were to tell the good news to all who would listen.
That is also want we are being called to do during this Advent/Christmas season.
Loving God, thank you for the "good news" that comes to me and to all the world through birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
"Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:7-10 NRSV Bible)
