Holy Week

Holy Week – Day 2

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Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. Luke 21:1-3 ESV

On this, His final day of public ministry, Jesus takes time to praise the offering of a widow. Among the crowds at the temple that day, she was probably considered the least important by most people. In fact few would have even noticed as she quietly slipped her two coins into the charity box. However everyone noticed the rich men as they carried in their gifts with great fanfare.  At the sound of their silver and gold coins clanking into the offering box people were oohing and aahing about how much they gave. But Jesus wasn’t impressed with money. He didn’t care about a big performance or false religiosity. He just waited quietly to see if anyone had come to give with all their heart.

Then just before Jesus went to prepare for His last meal with His disciples He gave us a simple insight about one widow. She had come with a pure heart and she had given all.

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Holy Week – Day 1

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And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Mark 11:17 ESV

Some of us get the idea that Jesus of Nazareth went through His ministry smiling, blessing children and sitting with newly washed lambs. But on Monday of Holy Week; this same Jesus who had forgiven the woman caught in adultery and who ate with sinners became angry when He went to the temple to pray. Instead of meekly entering He instead shouted as he drove the buyers and sellers away saying indignantly, “Is it not written My House shall be called a house of prayer?”

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Now the case could be made that Jesus was upset because of the physical location where these vendors were set up. But more importantly;  when Jesus used the word “House” he also meant household or family. In other words the place where God’s family meets should be exclusively for brothers and sisters who come together to pray. Of course it is easy for us 2,000 years later to be critical, but are we any better today?  Are we truly, first and foremost a family of prayer?

Or do we sometimes maneuver our way into desirable positions in order to take unfair advantage of others? Are we putting ourselves right back at the money changer’s tables? Our special events are great and fellowship while we are having coffee matters; but can we say that prayer is the main thing that happens at church (Online or otherwise)?  Secondly notice also that Jesus went on to say that His family was supposed to be for all nations. Are all nations showing up at our place of worship?  Jesus wants to clean His house of anything that keeps us apart. Then when everyone brings their own inheritance into God’s family  together we become the House of God and His family indeed!

Don’t Forget Martha!

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There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.   John 12:2 NKJV

Though we often admire Mary’s example we must not forget that Jesus also loved Martha. Martha was the bold one who publicly invited Jesus and all 12 disciples to her house for dinner! Just as Mary listened and learned from Jesus, Martha also learned in her own way. Though she worked in the kitchen, and complained about her sister, she also accepted correction. Later when Jesus failed to come and heal her brother Martha was waiting at the edge of town to ask Him why He had allowed Lazarus to die. But she was also equally quick to believe when Jesus told her that He was the resurrection and the life. At the same dinner when Jesus came and sat by Lazarus and Mary came and washed His feet, Martha cooked the food and washed the plates. As Mary lavished her love on Jesus with the ointment, Martha lavished hers with service.

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As the air was filled with the fragrance of the perfume, so too the air was also filled with the aroma of Martha’s dinner. Oh yes we know the story of Mary will be told forever, but we must never forget that Jesus also loved Martha. Martha gave the best she had. If you are a Martha don’t be ashamed, just give your best and learn like she did to focus your eyes on Jesus and serve Him wherever you are!