The Rev. Aaron Couch proposes here an argument that questions whether Jesus approves the widow’s gift of her two
small coins. Read on…
Mark 12:38-44
Through Mark's narrative, the
church listens in as Jesus teaches his disciples to reject the world's measures
of value and importance. . . .
The ambitious scribes . . . use
their piety to create favorable impressions, to secure positions of power, and
to enrich themselves at the expense of those in need. Because their religiosity
serves their own greed and ambition, Jesus declares that they certainly deserve
God's condemnation.
While it is quite clear that Jesus
disapproves of the greedy and self-serving behavior of the scribes, it is not
equally clear that he approves of the widow's gift. Mark does not indicate
whether Jesus' comments on the widow's gift were intended as an endorsement of
her selflessness or as an example of how the temple system took advantage of
the poor. Traditionally the widow's gift has been seen as a measure of her
complete devotion. Jesus was heard to approve of her generosity. He also
rejects the world's way of valuing, which would honor a large gift given easily
from an even greater abundance, while sneering at a small gift given
sacrificially. Instead Jesus indicates that it is the disposition of the
giver's heart that matters, not the amount of the gift.
Alternately, it has also been
suggested that Jesus here condemns the temple system, which benefited the
wealthy by requiring large offerings from the poor. Interpreted this way, Jesus
actually laments the widow's gift as a tragic sign of how completely she has
been duped by the exploitative religious system. – Aaron Couch
1 Kings 17:8-16
Within its liturgical context, the
theme of the generous widow in this reading lends support to the traditional
interpretation of gospel text. Within the context of the deuteronomistic
history, however, the text is more concerned to proclaim the faithfulness of
God. . . .
When Elijah arrives at Zarephath,
he finds the widow. . . . Although the situation is not promising, Elijah
promises a miracle by the power of God. If the widow prepares a meal for the
prophet, her food supply shall not be exhausted until the draught has ended. It
is certainly no less a miracle that she trusts the prophet's word! The preacher
and congregation together are invited to trust the Lord whose promise gives
life. – Aaron Couch
Hebrews 9:24-28
Hebrews returns to the familiar
theme of the superiority of Christ's priesthood. . . [but] the preacher must
avoid any implication that denigrates the religious institutions of Israel. The
author of Hebrews clearly understands the Jewish temple and priesthood as
genuine gifts of God. The emphasis is instead on the surpassing greatness of
God's gift in Christ. As the Son of God who uniquely reflects God's glory
(1:2–3), Christ's atoning death is singularly powerful and is sufficient to
deal with the sins of “many” (a Semitism meaning “all”). Believers are invited
to live with confidence, knowing that beyond death there is no condemnation for
sin. – Aaron Couch
Aaron Couch is
a co-pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon.
Homily Service 39, no. 12 (2006): 25-34.
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