Have you ever sat down, perhaps at a mall, and watched the crowds of people passing by? Maybe you sat down to eat lunch at an event, and while eating, you observed the people around you. Humans are interesting creatures! When you stop to observe people, you see all kinds of interesting situations.
In today’s reading, Jesus did just this. Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. (Mark 12:41–42, NLT) What did Jesus see when he observed the crowds dropping money in the collection box in the Temple? He saw how much they gave and what we can’t see—their hearts, and what an interesting situation He noticed! Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43–44, NLT)
Things are not always what they seem. What is on the outside does not always reflect what is on the inside. Those who appeared to be giving much only gave a little out of what they had. The widow who seemed to give little gave all she had to live on. This reminds me of a verse in 1 Samuel: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)
It is easy to judge someone based on what we think we see. But since we can’t see the heart, making a mistake is just as easy. We are almost sure to make a mistake when pride is mixed into judgment. What a lesson to walk humbly before God and to remind ourselves that not everything is as it seems.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Matthew 22; Mark 12.