Everyone is reevaluating their priorities. With all the upheaval in society, we have to ask, “What matters most?”
For us, Jesus Christ is the paramount priority. Our first desire is to know and be known by him. “To live is Christ . . .” Paul says (Phil. 1:21). In a time of resignation and reluctance, we enter a season of Recommitment in November.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, you said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). I know, and you know better, that my love for you has faltered. My heart and soul are bent toward self. My mind is easily distracted and my strength fails. But I know you are gracious. Forgive me. Show me loving kindness. Reform my heart and soul, mind and strength, that I may be fully devoted to you. Amen.
Word: Mark 12:44
“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Meditation
It seems like everyone is reassessing their commitments. You’ve heard of the Great Resignation. In the last three months, over 12 million people have left their job. We can debate the various reasons for that, but I think everyone is reassessing their priorities. “What I am committed to? Does this career or employer deserve my commitment?”
Jesus and his friends were in a corner across the way in church. There was a box where people were putting their offering to God. There were many who, by all appearances, had money to give. For them it was a kind of philanthropy. A donation. A contribution. Money they could afford to give away.
Then a woman shuffled up to the offering box. Scripture describes her as a “poor widow.” No husband. No money. No certainty in life. In her fist was the money she would drop in the slot. She reached over it and opened her hand. Klink. Klink. Two small copper coins equalling a penny.
At this point Jesus turned to his crew and said, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)
Some gave out of their abundance, their extra, their leftovers. But for the poor widow, the pennies were everything. She gave out of her poverty. Notice the words “all” and “everything.” Commitment to Christ calls for all and everything. God doesn’t want part of us; he wants all. He doesn’t want leftovers, he wants everything. He doesn’t want Sundays; every second is his. This story isn’t about money. It’s about the heart. To what is your heart committed? May God grant us faith to commit all to him, for he has given everything to us.
We pray: O God, instill in me a commitment like “the poor widow.” Grow my faith to entrust my all and everything to you. I hold nothing back, for you are the Savior who gave your life as a ransom for mine. Amen.
Prayer
Gracious God, be with me today. Teach me to do your will, not in words but in power. Help me to desire your will and your ways. With you I begin, and with you I continue and end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Benediction
May the blessing of the eternal God be upon us and upon our work;
His light to guide us,
His presence to strengthen us,
His love to unite us;
Now and always. Amen.