WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.780 Church, turn with me in your Bibles to Luke chapter 20, Luke chapter 20, beginning at 00:00:06.780 --> 00:00:07.480 verse 45. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:11.200 If you're looking in the Pew Bible, page 827. 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:14.240 Yes. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:23.240 This spring, in the weeks leading up to Easter, we are looking at the closing chapters of 00:00:23.240 --> 00:00:29.980 the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus is in Jerusalem and leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.240 This morning, we're looking at a short passage from chapter 20, verse 45, to chapter 21, verse 00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:38.640 4. 00:00:40.659 --> 00:00:47.200 So, let's read these words together, Luke chapter 20, beginning at verse 45. 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:55.079 In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples, beware of the scribes who 00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:59.840 like to walk around in long robes and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:06.900 seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:09.000 a pretense make long prayers. 00:01:09.800 --> 00:01:12.680 They will receive the greater condemnation. 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:18.900 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and He saw a poor 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:21.920 widow put in two small copper coins. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:30.680 And He said, truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:40.480 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:41.719 to live on. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:46.579 Who is someone that you admire? 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:50.920 Someone that you notice and respect? 00:01:51.879 --> 00:01:54.799 Someone you look up to and want to be like? 00:01:55.780 --> 00:01:59.500 Someone that you proudly associate with and publicly praise? 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:04.719 Someone that you want others to know about and come to love and appreciate? 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:10.800 Maybe it's a professional athlete or an actor or musician, an artist. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:15.840 Perhaps it's an accomplished professor, a scholar, a pioneer in your academic field. 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:19.340 Maybe there's a political candidate or office holder who you think holds promise. 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:22.979 Maybe it's a personal friend, a family member, or an acquaintance. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:28.819 Maybe you follow them on social media, or you listen carefully whenever they speak. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:35.439 Unless we are complete narcissists who only think about and admire ourselves, most of us 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:42.079 have someone else in our life that we admire, for one reason or another. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:44.039 And this is normal. 00:02:44.120 --> 00:02:48.439 This is part of what human beings naturally do, beginning with young children who naturally 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:49.560 look up to their parents. 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:52.319 And as we grow up, our horizon expands. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:55.939 This is part of how we learn and develop as human beings. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:00.780 And it's also part of how we're meant to learn and develop as Christians. 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:07.859 As followers of Jesus, we're meant to honor and admire and emulate people who embody Christ-like 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:08.359 character. 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:13.520 That's why the Apostle Paul can say things like, follow me as I follow Christ. 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:17.020 It's not an arrogant thing that he's saying. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:20.340 He's recognizing the reality that we're going to follow somebody. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:23.680 We're going to pattern ourselves after somebody else. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:29.219 And we should look to follow people who embody the characteristics of Jesus Christ. 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:33.860 But the passage we're looking at this morning highlights a problem. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:40.319 Our admiration can often be misdirected. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:46.659 We can admire people who we ought to beware of, and we can ignore people who we ought to 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:47.020 admire. 00:03:47.020 --> 00:03:53.180 As one person put it, God's way of measuring reality is not our way. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:57.000 So I want to look at this morning's passage in two parts. 00:03:58.140 --> 00:04:02.160 Part one, the people we admire who we should beware. 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:05.900 That's the end of chapter 20. 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:13.240 Part two, verses 1 to 4 of chapter 21, the people we ignore who we should admire. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:18.360 So first, the people we admire who we should actually beware. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:23.400 Jesus is talking about the scribes in these verses. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:29.519 Now, the scribes were highly respected, preeminent leaders in Israelite society. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:36.579 A scribe was like a college professor combined with a civil lawyer and a spiritual authority 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:39.400 figure and a city council member, all combined in one person. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:48.079 Now, they weren't necessarily the wealthiest people, but they were some of the most highly 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:50.000 respected people. 00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:53.199 Most people back in those days were illiterate. 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:58.919 These men could read and write, and they had read and studied, often copied and commented 00:04:58.919 --> 00:05:02.620 on the law of Moses that had been handed down for generations. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:06.560 Their interpretations of the Bible were influential and carried weight. 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:10.839 Some of the scribes had political power. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:12.399 They were members of the Sanhedrin. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:14.079 That was the Jewish ruling council. 00:05:14.280 --> 00:05:18.720 Others were consulted by the Sanhedrin for their expertise. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:23.319 They also had the authority to record and handle official documents. 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:28.879 And they were distinguished from other people by the clothes they wore. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:34.639 They wore flowing robes, full-length prayer shawls with tassels at the four corners. 00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:39.819 So when the scribe was walking down the street, you would look at him and you knew exactly who 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:40.339 he was. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:45.659 And in fact, when a scribe walked by on the street or walked into a room, everyone else 00:05:45.659 --> 00:05:48.519 would rise to their feet to honor him. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:56.079 So scribes were highly honored and admired in that society. 00:05:56.579 --> 00:06:02.019 But Jesus says to his disciples, beware of the scribes. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:03.879 Don't admire them. 00:06:03.979 --> 00:06:05.399 Beware of them. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:13.299 Now, so far in chapter 20, Jesus has been teaching the people, crowds of people in the temple 00:06:13.299 --> 00:06:17.379 who are largely receptive and interacting with the temple leaders who are largely hostile. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:23.139 So over the last few weeks, we've seen several conversations that have happened about some 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:24.739 pretty big theological topics. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:29.039 So Jesus tells a story, the parable of the wicked tenants that summarizes the message of 00:06:29.039 --> 00:06:31.120 the entire Old Testament in a parable. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:33.839 He engages in a dialogue about religion and politics. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:37.179 He's discussed the meaning of marriage and the resurrection from the dead. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:42.279 And he concluded by challenging his hearers about the identity of the Messiah, David's 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.539 son and David's Lord. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:52.059 But now Jesus turns specifically to his disciples, to the people who've been following him and 00:06:52.059 --> 00:06:56.839 who've expressed loyalty to him and who've been walking with him for a long time. 00:06:57.579 --> 00:07:01.859 But he doesn't pick up another big theological topic. 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:07.020 He focuses in here on the motives and intentions of the heart. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:13.180 Why does Jesus warn his disciples, beware of the scribes? 00:07:15.580 --> 00:07:24.340 Because what Jesus says is, despite their impressive appearances, the scribes were self-promoting 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:26.539 and self-serving. 00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:30.639 Jesus says they love to be admired. 00:07:32.479 --> 00:07:36.159 They like to walk around in the clothes that distinguish them from other people. 00:07:37.419 --> 00:07:42.699 They love to receive honor in the various spheres of human activity, in the marketplace, the economic 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:46.759 sphere, in the synagogue, the religious sphere, at feasts, in the social sphere. 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:50.719 And in all these different contexts, they love to be first. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:56.639 They love to be seen and known and admired and praised. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:05.860 But Jesus says in their love of human praise, they harm vulnerable people and they dishonor God. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.579 Jesus says they devour widows' houses. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:16.519 Now, widows were some of the most vulnerable people in the ancient world. 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:20.339 They were not only grieving the loss of companionship and partnership in marriage, 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:23.860 they were also at risk in multiple ways. 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:30.839 Economically, widows had few job prospects, so their survival depended largely on two things, 00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:34.879 their inheritance, if they had one, and the generosity of others. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:43.220 Physically, the ancient world was a violent place, and the police could not be relied upon 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:43.939 to protect you. 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:47.960 A woman without a male protector was never really safe. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:57.000 Legally, the testimony of women in court was not admissible under either Jewish or Roman law. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:09:02.940 And so a widow couldn't easily advocate for herself legally if she was being mistreated. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:17.379 Now, in the Old Testament, God had repeatedly instructed His people to care for the vulnerable. 00:09:18.419 --> 00:09:25.659 And that included widows, that included orphans, that included foreigners, and that included the poor in general. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:29.840 People who didn't have much protection. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:37.440 Jesus specifically said, you as my people, look out for these ones. 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:47.139 And He spoke to the leaders in particular, do justice and show mercy to widows and fatherless children 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:52.200 and people who are all alone, strangers in a strange land. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:10:00.960 But these scribes were neglecting and hurting the very people whom the law of God commanded them to specifically look out for. 00:10:02.400 --> 00:10:06.960 Now, Jesus doesn't say exactly how this was happening, so different people speculate. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:10.200 Did some scribes take advantage of widows' hospitality? 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:15.620 You know, back then, you would never say no to a scribe, right? 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:19.040 If they wanted to come over for dinner, you would feed them the best meal, right? 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:23.659 You wouldn't ask questions, and you certainly wouldn't refuse them. 00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:29.539 Or did some scribes demand exorbitant fees for legal counsel? 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:30.799 Well, that's plausible. 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:31.799 That still happens today. 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:37.599 Did some scribes convince widows to let them manage their estates, 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:40.799 but then took more than their fair share as a commission? 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:44.199 Well, again, the widows didn't have much legal recourse if that was happening. 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:50.600 Now, it's possible that some scribes were intentionally malicious, preying on widows, 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:56.300 just like some telemarketers today intentionally target the lonely and the elderly. 00:10:58.040 --> 00:11:02.840 You know, I think it's also possible that some scribes were mostly oblivious. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.400 They were just living in their own ivory tower world. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:13.600 They had gradually distanced themselves from the concerns and problems of regular people. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:14.500 Who were all the people? 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:18.899 Well, they were everyone else who would stand up to honor them as they walked by. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.399 Who's important? 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:21.379 They are. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:26.940 They might not have even given a thought to how their actions were affecting widows. 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:31.899 You know, it's very possible to do lots of damage to vulnerable people 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:34.519 without explicitly intending to harm them, 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:42.220 just by being so self-absorbed that we don't consider how our actions affect people 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:44.659 who are in different life circumstances. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:50.399 But however it was happening, not only were the scribes harming vulnerable people, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:52.199 they were also dishonoring God. 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:57.159 Their spirituality had become a show for a pretense, Jesus says. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:59.019 They make long prayers. 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:01.399 Now, there's nothing wrong with praying long prayers, 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:06.259 but there is a problem when prayer, which is meant to be directed toward God, 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:09.220 becomes a show to impress other people. 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:12.720 And so Jesus concludes, 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:20.419 those who seek greater honor for themselves at the cost of helping others 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:26.079 will ultimately receive the greater condemnation from God in the end. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:34.580 Now, the example of the scribes is meant to be a warning to all of us. 00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:38.820 Jesus isn't just haranguing the scribes. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:41.800 He's speaking to his disciples, and he's saying, beware. 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:46.360 I think it's a warning to us in two ways. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:53.840 First, this should cause us to reevaluate who we admire and follow. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:13:02.940 Most of us naturally admire people who are gifted and successful. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:07.960 But God's Word urges us to admire people 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:12.360 and follow people who are godly and sincere. 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:19.040 The Apostle Paul talks a lot about this contrast in the book of 2 Corinthians. 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:23.659 Because the Christians in Corinth had become attracted 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:27.419 to some teachers and preachers and public speakers 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:29.519 who could put on a good show. 00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:33.480 They were strong, handsome, skilled, and entertaining. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:40.079 But the central theme of their message was not Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:45.120 Ultimately, these speakers gloried in themselves 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:49.720 rather than seeking to glorify Christ above all. 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:53.900 And so Paul warned the Christians in Corinth. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.740 He writes, 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:58.060 Such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, 00:13:58.180 --> 00:14:00.980 disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:02.500 He says, don't admire them. 00:14:03.560 --> 00:14:04.500 Beware of them. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:10.000 We should beware of people who are gifted and successful 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.480 but who are not godly and sincere. 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:17.740 Especially those who claim to be spiritual leaders. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.899 Over the past couple of years, 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:25.000 a couple of or several prominent Christian leaders 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.700 have either renounced the faith 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:30.919 or been removed from their ministry positions in disgrace 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:33.979 due to personal moral failures. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:37.240 Now, this isn't really a new trend. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:40.399 It's just become a bit more discussed 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.699 in the age of social media. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.179 But it's a fair topic of concern. 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:50.539 How should we think about public Christian figures? 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.939 Well, I think we should resist the temptation 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:59.480 to become cynical about all public Christian figures. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:04.299 Some best-selling authors and pastors of megachurches 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:06.939 faithfully preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:08.979 and display the fruits of godly character. 00:15:09.819 --> 00:15:11.679 Praise God for them. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:16.899 And if their messages help you grow in love for Christ, 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.399 then listen to them 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:20.199 and read their books and articles 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.360 and commend them to others 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:23.079 who might also be helped by them, 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:25.039 but at the same time pray for them 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:26.699 and don't idolize them. 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:32.040 Pray that they would remain faithful to Christ 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:36.200 and not fall into temptations. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.320 Pray for the elders here at Trinity 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.620 as we lead this church. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:44.540 Pray that each of us would remain faithful to Christ 00:15:44.540 --> 00:15:47.500 and not fall into Satan's traps, 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.500 the world's lies, 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.560 and our own fleshly weakness. 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:56.599 What does it mean to be a faithful Christian leader? 00:15:58.559 --> 00:16:00.359 Well, to be a faithful Christian leader 00:16:00.359 --> 00:16:03.219 is like being the best man at a wedding. 00:16:04.479 --> 00:16:05.759 What's the job of the best man? 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.539 Well, the best man does whatever the groom 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.739 asks him to do 00:16:10.739 --> 00:16:12.919 so that the wedding can go off without a hitch. 00:16:13.579 --> 00:16:13.979 Right? 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:18.320 The best man never takes center stage. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:21.240 The best man never tries to get the bride 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.879 to fall in love with him. 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:27.440 And in a similar way, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.019 the goal of every Christian leader 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:32.740 is to help God's church fall in love with Jesus 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:37.620 for the rest of her earthly life 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.500 and then get out of the way. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:45.379 The apostle Paul was not the most impressive personality. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:48.539 He battled various health problems. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.659 He may not have been the most entertaining speaker. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.639 But Paul could say to the Corinthians, 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.320 we behaved in the world 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:59.820 with simplicity and godly sincerity 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:01.639 by the grace of God. 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:05.440 And later on, he said, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.579 he even uses this imagery 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:09.199 he says, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:11.199 I betrothed you to one husband, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.240 even Christ. 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.259 And he says, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.919 my greatest concern is that you, 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.839 God's people, 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:21.619 maintain a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:24.879 That's the kind of Christian leader 00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:26.960 that we should admire and honor 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.480 and pattern ourselves after. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:31.619 Someone who helps each of us 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:33.099 fall in love with Jesus 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:34.379 and stay in love with Jesus 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.639 and fix our eyes on Him 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.980 every day of our lives. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:43.579 So we should reevaluate 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.019 who we admire and follow. 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:45.639 But second, 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.159 we should also consider 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.419 who we are becoming. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.460 Over time, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.579 we become like 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.339 the people 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.759 who we most admire, 00:17:55.199 --> 00:17:57.899 for better or worse. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.779 The scribes 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.579 were highly educated 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:04.720 and intellectually competent. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:07.920 They had invested time, 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:08.759 energy, 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.559 and money 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.720 into studying 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.120 and expanding their knowledge. 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.539 They were the intellectual leaders 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:15.319 of their day. 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:20.079 But they had become self-absorbed, 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.319 filled with pride. 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.759 They had distanced themselves 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.160 from the concerns and problems 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.200 of ordinary people. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.580 They were preoccupied 00:18:28.580 --> 00:18:30.160 with image management. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.400 Now, that's a danger 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:37.120 in almost any academic setting, 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.720 perhaps especially 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.900 at a place like Yale. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:45.440 have we become puffed up 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.160 by pride? 00:18:47.780 --> 00:18:49.280 Do we look upon others 00:18:49.280 --> 00:18:49.960 with contempt? 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.340 Am I constantly 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:54.340 seeking attention 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.220 and approval 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.720 from other people? 00:18:59.120 --> 00:18:59.519 But you know, 00:18:59.560 --> 00:19:00.060 the scribes 00:19:00.060 --> 00:19:01.060 hadn't just pursued 00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:02.060 a general education. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.120 They had been specifically 00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:04.140 trained in the Bible 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.960 and in theology. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.240 You might ask, 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:08.140 well, wouldn't that help? 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:11.300 But knowing the Bible 00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:12.020 and theology 00:19:12.020 --> 00:19:13.220 doesn't necessarily 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:15.220 produce Christian maturity 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:15.980 automatically. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.540 If you've spent 00:19:19.540 --> 00:19:20.240 a lot of time 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.080 studying the Bible 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:23.140 and learning theology, 00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:25.540 maybe even getting 00:19:25.540 --> 00:19:26.740 a degree from seminary 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.600 or divinity school, 00:19:29.020 --> 00:19:30.259 have you devoted 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:32.140 a similarly strenuous effort 00:19:32.780 --> 00:19:34.840 to rooting out sin 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.060 from your own heart? 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:39.679 cultivating godly habits 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:41.819 and healthy relationships. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.279 You see, 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.460 for most of chapter 20, 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:50.379 Jesus was engaging 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:51.220 with people about 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:53.440 big theological questions. 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:56.399 And it's important for us 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.639 to give careful attention 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.440 to defining 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.819 and defending the faith 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:02.559 and to answering 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.440 difficult questions 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.159 that people ask 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:04.839 about Christianity 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.839 and studying the Bible 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.359 carefully 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:08.240 like Jesus models for us 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:10.419 in the first half of this, 00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:12.039 in the early parts 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.519 of the chapter. 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:14.039 But Jesus is not only 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:16.099 concerned with the rightness 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.619 of our theological answers. 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:20.059 He also cares deeply 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.959 about our motives 00:20:20.959 --> 00:20:21.839 and attitudes 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.459 and our integrity 00:20:23.459 --> 00:20:24.639 and our behavior. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.839 He's concerned 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:28.039 not only that we learn 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.319 to interpret Scripture 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:29.959 correctly, 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.119 but that we also respond 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.799 to Scripture faithfully. 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:36.659 when Paul wrote to Timothy, 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.259 who was a young pastor, 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.720 Paul did not just say, 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.700 keep a close watch 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.519 on your teaching. 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.539 He said, 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.419 keep a close watch 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.259 on yourself 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:47.799 and on the teaching. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.519 Set the believers 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.039 an example 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.899 in your speech, 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.359 yes, 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.399 but also, 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:53.919 he says, 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.740 in conduct, 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.879 in love, 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.919 in faith, 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.859 and in purity. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:21:00.579 So let me put it this way. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.799 If you're a student 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:04.299 of any kind, 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.039 do you diligently study 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.419 your own soul 00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:09.659 in the mirror 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:11.219 of God's Word? 00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:14.359 One of the things 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:14.899 that God's Word 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:16.119 is meant to help us do 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:18.359 is to help us see 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.740 our own soul 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.639 more clearly. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:23.720 Can you identify 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:25.460 when ungodly motives, 00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:27.820 such as the ones 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:29.140 embodied by the scribes, 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.140 rear their ugly heads 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:32.820 inside you? 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.580 We're all battling 00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:36.400 a sinful nature. 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.580 Let's not pretend 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:38.340 it isn't there. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.580 Part of Christian growth 00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.500 is recognizing 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.560 when sin rears 00:21:43.560 --> 00:21:44.340 its ugly head 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:45.259 and then confessing 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.980 that to God 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.759 and perhaps 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.740 to a trusted brother 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.820 or sister in Christ 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.220 who can assure us 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.059 of God's forgiveness 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:53.339 and point us 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:55.619 to God's cleansing power 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:57.279 and renewing grace. 00:21:58.939 --> 00:22:00.579 Let's take a specific example. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.779 The scribes loved 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.619 to be admired. 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.799 What do we see 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.259 when we look 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.639 into our own soul? 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.500 Do we get overly attached 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.399 to other people 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:15.500 noticing us, 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.899 appreciating us, 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:19.320 thanking us 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:20.220 for our contributions? 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.759 Do we envy those 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.480 who seem more 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.420 outwardly gifted 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.220 and successful 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.019 than we are? 00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:29.860 Are we constantly 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:31.759 living in a comparison 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.500 world? 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.759 Do we feel 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.880 overly resentful 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.740 when we are 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.340 overlooked 00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:40.160 and underappreciated? 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:43.620 Yes, it happens. 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.880 Yes, it is a 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.740 genuine offense 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.440 to bear. 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.920 But it is also 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.820 part of the human 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.259 condition 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.019 and part of the 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.620 normal Christian life. 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.300 J.C. Ryle wrote, 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.480 true grace 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.400 can wait 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.360 for honor 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:01.000 and cares little 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.960 what it has 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.820 on earth. 00:23:06.820 --> 00:23:07.580 So we see 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:08.259 Jesus warning 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.420 about the scribes, 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.280 the people 00:23:11.280 --> 00:23:11.700 we might 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.140 naturally 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.100 tend to admire, 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.900 but actually 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.420 whom we should 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:15.860 beware. 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:19.939 and who we are 00:23:19.939 --> 00:23:20.419 in danger 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:20.959 of becoming 00:23:20.959 --> 00:23:21.359 like. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.159 But in the next 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.559 section, 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.240 chapter 21, 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.019 verses 1 to 4, 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.899 we see Jesus' 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:29.059 praise of a widow, 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.779 a person 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.519 we might 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.639 naturally ignore, 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.539 who Jesus says 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.559 we should 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.839 actually admire. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:38.939 Verse 1, 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.619 Jesus looked up 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.299 and saw the rich 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.019 putting their gifts 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.259 into the offering box. 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.960 Jesus is sitting 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.519 in the temple, 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.779 he glances up, 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.200 they would have 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.859 been in 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:48.799 the court 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.240 of women, 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.119 which meant 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.019 both women 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.660 and men 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.480 of Israel 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.900 could come 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.559 into that court, 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.279 and in that court 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.259 there were 13 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.700 offering boxes. 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.379 They were shaped 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.119 like trumpets 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.500 with the narrow 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.539 end at the top 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.660 and the larger 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.460 end at the bottom 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:04.640 to prevent theft. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.920 Throughout the day, 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.559 people would drop 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.299 in their coins, 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:09.680 and then every so often 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.400 the temple officials 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:10.920 would come 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.279 and they would 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.060 empty the containers. 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.380 And so when the rich 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.060 people came 00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:16.420 and dropped in 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.000 a whole bunch 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.480 of coins, 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.180 remember no dollar 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.840 bills back then, 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.660 everything's coins, 00:24:20.300 --> 00:24:21.060 you would hear 00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:22.200 clink, clink, clink, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.740 clink, clink, clink, 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.019 clink. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.500 But Jesus notices 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.440 a poor widow, 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.900 widows wore simple, 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:31.860 there was sort of 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.740 a traditional widow's 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.100 clothing, 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.080 she was probably 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:35.060 wearing that, 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.420 and she put in 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.539 two of the 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:40.140 smallest coins 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.280 coins in use. 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:43.759 Clink, clink, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.600 you could barely 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.380 hear the sound. 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:48.520 Together, 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.180 these coins 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.720 were worth 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.360 one sixty-fourth 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.420 of a day's wage 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.220 for a laborer. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.580 So think about it. 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.520 One-eighth 00:24:57.520 --> 00:24:58.620 of an hourly wage 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.420 if you take 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.060 an eight-hour day. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.860 What's that today? 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.480 Maybe a dollar 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.840 or two. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.600 Enough for a coffee 00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.360 at McDonald's 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.240 and not much else. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:10.400 Most people 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.000 would not have 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.380 paid any attention 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.859 to this widow 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:15.500 and to her offering. 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.059 Think about it. 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:19.079 Think about the contrast. 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.480 The scribes, 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.079 well-educated, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.120 well-dressed, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.339 politically powerful, 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.539 financially stable, 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.519 highly respected 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.500 male leaders. 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.519 Almost certainly 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.740 the widow was 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.819 illiterate, 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:33.180 poorly dressed, 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.720 politically powerless, 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.240 financially desperate, 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.700 a visible representation 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.440 of loss and emptiness, 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.420 the most vulnerable 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.180 of women. 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:44.519 Her two cents 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.279 would make 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.720 no meaningful difference 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:48.100 to the annual budget 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.740 of the temple. 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.620 She would not make 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.680 anyone's list 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:53.400 of high-priority donors. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.120 But Jesus 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:59.579 noticed her offering 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:01.039 and he made 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.319 a big deal 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.140 about it. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:05.660 I mean, 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.640 consider for a moment 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.759 all the other things 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.440 that could have been 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.480 on Jesus' mind. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.960 All the weighty 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.060 theological discussions 00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:13.920 he's just had. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.140 Boy, 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.540 we can get into those. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.100 All the people 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.700 who are hanging 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.520 on his words. 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:21.620 All the temple leaders 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.460 who hated him 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.960 and wanted to do away 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.420 with him. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.920 His own sense 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.360 that his betrayal 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.520 and suffering 00:26:29.520 --> 00:26:30.780 and death 00:26:30.780 --> 00:26:32.080 were not far away. 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:33.579 Most of us 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.220 would be easily 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.919 distracted by 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.460 any one 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.679 of those things. 00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:37.559 But Jesus 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.460 was not too 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.220 preoccupied 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.039 with any of them 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.720 to notice 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.179 this poor widow 00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:43.199 giving two 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:44.519 copper coins. 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.720 Jesus notices 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.299 people 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:48.460 who many of us 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:50.399 might pass by 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.819 without a second thought. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.779 You know, 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.699 there are many things 00:26:55.699 --> 00:26:56.740 that God sees 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.659 and values 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:59.279 that will never 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.500 make the nightly news 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:02.000 and that will never 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.620 be trending 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:05.080 on any social media platform. 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:09.220 But Jesus sees 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:11.000 and Jesus notices. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.600 And so the widow 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.700 in this story 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.460 could sing 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.340 with the writer 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.440 of Psalm 40 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.320 who wrote, 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.580 I am poor 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.340 and needy 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.140 but the Lord 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.120 takes thought 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.880 of me. 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.940 You see, 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.600 if Jesus 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.340 takes thought 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:26.920 of us, 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.880 if he sees 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.720 and he notices, 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.820 that's all that matters 00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:30.480 in the end. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.440 Truly, 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.320 I tell you, 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.260 this poor widow 00:27:34.260 --> 00:27:34.860 has put in 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:36.000 more than all of them 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.620 for they all 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.020 contributed 00:27:38.020 --> 00:27:38.920 out of their abundance 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.500 but she 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.460 out of her poverty 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.200 put in all 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:43.360 she had to live on. 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.060 Now, 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:45.560 what does Jesus 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.540 mean by that statement? 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.920 Recently, 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.680 several scholars 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.240 have argued 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.680 that Jesus 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.680 was not actually 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.160 praising the widow 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.880 for giving her 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.740 last two cents. 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:55.100 Rather, 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.259 he was lamenting 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.620 the corrupt system 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.880 that took advantage 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.980 of vulnerable people 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.660 like her 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.700 and drained them 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.740 of all their resources 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.140 and left them penniless. 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.600 But I think 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.900 that interpretation 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:10.060 is inconsistent 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:11.299 with Jesus' words 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.759 and also condescending 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.400 toward the widow. 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.320 It's true 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:16.740 that Jesus 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.779 denounced the corruption 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.340 of the temple. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.100 He overturned 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.480 the tables 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.340 of the money changers, 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.299 confronted the temple 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.899 authorities, 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.259 warned against the scribes, 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.200 said they were devouring 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.940 widows' houses 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.299 and in the next chapter, 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.059 which we'll look at 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.539 next week, 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.519 he foretold 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.519 and prophesied 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.299 the destruction 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.220 of the temple. 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.659 But that is not 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.200 the point 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.980 of verses 3 and 4. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.720 If Jesus 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.319 was simply 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.039 lamenting 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.859 the widow's gift 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.500 as a sign 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.659 of a corrupt system, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.079 then he was implying 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.240 that she too 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.139 had been duped, 00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.220 that she was too 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.579 ignorant or cowardly 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.139 to resist 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:48.819 the influence 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.759 of the scribes. 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:51.859 If Jesus' 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.879 only concern 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:54.099 or primary concern 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.159 was to redistribute 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:56.319 all wealth equally, 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.899 he should praise 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:58.679 those who gave 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.559 out of their abundance 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.799 and he should tell 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.259 the widow, 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:02.679 keep your two cents 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.839 and you should demand 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.299 more 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.220 because you deserve 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.639 more. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.799 But that is not 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.859 actually what Jesus said. 00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.839 Jesus did not 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.460 see the widow 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:16.059 merely as a member 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:17.839 of an oppressed class. 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.039 He saw her 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.799 as a person, 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:23.619 an image bearer 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:25.379 of the Creator God. 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.539 And despite 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.419 the hypocrisy 00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.539 and self-centeredness 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.279 that were corrupting 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.659 the temple 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.779 and causing distress 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.899 for people like her, 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.200 which Jesus certainly 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.339 highlighted those things, 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.039 Jesus saw 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.720 in this poor widow 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.639 an expression 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.359 of genuine 00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:41.319 and self-sacrificing 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.659 love for God. 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.919 And so he publicly 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:45.680 honored and praised 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.880 her before 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:47.900 all his disciples 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.980 and everyone else 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.580 who was listening. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.380 Think about it. 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.980 When was the last time 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:55.120 that this poor widow 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.920 was noticed 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.600 and publicly praised 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:58.340 by a man 00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:59.240 who had no 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.200 ulterior motives? 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.340 When was the last time 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.420 her contributions 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:06.560 were sincerely appreciated 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:07.500 and valued? 00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:09.800 You see, 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.620 for many people 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:11.340 the experience 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.300 of being poor 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.460 is not just about 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.919 lacking material resources, 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:16.299 it's also an experience 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.899 of feeling 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:18.859 regularly humiliated, 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.799 ignored, 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.740 voiceless, 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.659 and hopeless. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.440 And so truly 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.220 helping people 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.200 and loving people 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.839 who are poor 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.440 and vulnerable 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.759 is not only a matter 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.659 of giving people 00:30:29.659 --> 00:30:31.039 more material things, 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.119 important as that may be 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:32.639 at times, 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.899 it's also a matter 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:35.539 of honoring people 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.259 rightly 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:38.879 as Jesus does 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:40.380 and restoring 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:41.340 relationships 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.580 that have broken down. 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:45.220 In most people's eyes, 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.440 this widow was defined 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.260 by everything 00:30:47.260 --> 00:30:49.180 she didn't have. 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.460 She didn't have money. 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:53.020 She didn't have a husband. 00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:53.960 She didn't have 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.800 a well-off son 00:30:54.800 --> 00:30:56.120 who was taking care of her. 00:31:01.040 --> 00:31:02.700 But Jesus didn't see her 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:04.340 as a mere have-not. 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:06.759 Jesus saw 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.759 what she had 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:10.039 and Jesus saw 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.819 what she gave. 00:31:11.199 --> 00:31:12.079 This poor widow, 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:12.799 he said, 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.679 has put in more, 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.659 more than all of them. 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:16.559 You see, 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.259 in Jesus' view, 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.459 the value of a gift 00:31:18.459 --> 00:31:20.379 is not the amount 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:22.439 relative to the amounts 00:31:22.439 --> 00:31:23.759 of other people's gifts. 00:31:24.459 --> 00:31:26.000 The value of a gift 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.220 is the cost. 00:31:28.699 --> 00:31:31.339 What we willingly sacrifice 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:33.119 in order to give. 00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:38.199 The widow did not have 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:40.000 to give her last two cents. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.159 If she followed 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:43.119 the law of tithing, 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.740 giving 10%, 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:46.659 she was not obligated 00:31:46.659 --> 00:31:47.319 to give anything 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.099 if she only had 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.959 two cents to live on. 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.740 What's 10% 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.799 of the smallest two coins 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.319 that exist? 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.059 20%. 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:54.019 You round down, 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.740 you don't have 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.339 to give anything. 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.859 If she wanted 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:59.099 to be really generous 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:01.259 and give 50% 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.740 of what she had, 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.939 she could have given 00:32:03.939 --> 00:32:04.579 one coin 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.659 and kept one coin. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.319 I mean, 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.219 giving 50% 00:32:09.219 --> 00:32:10.259 of all that you own 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.019 is exceedingly 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.839 generous, right? 00:32:12.719 --> 00:32:14.219 But she put in all. 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.799 All she had to live on. 00:32:17.859 --> 00:32:18.939 Perhaps she fasted 00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.559 that day 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:21.480 because she had given 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.599 her last two cents. 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.759 When is the last time 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.319 that you gave 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.119 something away? 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:29.719 Whether it was money, 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.539 time, 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:33.479 or a precious possession, 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:35.059 and you felt 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.039 the loss. 00:32:39.479 --> 00:32:40.739 J.C. Ryle wrote, 00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.779 Some persons appear 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.599 to give much 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:44.599 who in God's sight 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.439 give very little. 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.739 And some appear 00:32:47.739 --> 00:32:48.699 to give very little 00:32:48.699 --> 00:32:50.539 who in God's sight 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:52.039 give very much. 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:56.059 many of you know 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.539 we're in the middle 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:58.079 of a building project, 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.599 a capital campaign 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.619 to raise money for it. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.119 That's certainly 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.879 not the only 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:05.119 worthy cause 00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:06.059 to consider giving towards, 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.720 but let me just speak 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.539 to us 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.480 for a moment. 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:11.299 If you only have 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.740 a little 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:14.079 compared to others, 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.240 be encouraged. 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.920 Every gift, 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:21.259 no matter how small 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:21.920 the amount, 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.240 given out of 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.660 genuine love 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.480 for God 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.560 matters. 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.160 If God has given you 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:31.640 a lot, 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.680 be challenged. 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:36.279 We should not think 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.980 more highly 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.880 of our giving 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.880 than God does. 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:41.560 Just because you give 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:42.740 a higher dollar amount 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.779 than others 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.779 does not make you 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.560 the most generous 00:33:45.560 --> 00:33:46.600 in God's sight. 00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:49.659 Or maybe you wonder, 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:49.939 well, 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.899 how much exactly 00:33:50.899 --> 00:33:51.740 should I give? 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.359 This story 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:55.679 doesn't give us 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:56.199 a rule. 00:33:58.139 --> 00:33:59.059 There is no 00:33:59.059 --> 00:33:59.859 biblical law 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:00.779 that says 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.959 you must give 00:34:01.959 --> 00:34:02.839 every last penny 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.919 in your savings account 00:34:03.919 --> 00:34:04.919 to the church 00:34:04.919 --> 00:34:05.659 building project 00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:07.019 or some other 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:07.679 worthy cause. 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.380 There is plenty 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.279 of room for 00:34:09.279 --> 00:34:09.819 thoughtful 00:34:09.819 --> 00:34:11.059 and prayerful 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.860 discernment 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.659 in light of 00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.059 the various 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.860 responsibilities 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:14.860 that God 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.460 has given you. 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:18.139 And just so you know, 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.519 I don't know 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.299 what you give 00:34:20.299 --> 00:34:20.920 to the church. 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.819 None of the pastors 00:34:22.819 --> 00:34:23.940 know who gives 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.639 what amount. 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.699 We want you 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.400 to give freely 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.099 out of love 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.659 for God 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:30.159 and not 00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:31.279 in order 00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:31.980 to be noticed 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:33.639 by us. 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.659 Not because 00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.400 of any concern 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:38.139 of our 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.279 perception. 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:42.019 but shouldn't 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.600 the example 00:34:42.600 --> 00:34:43.460 of this poor 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.940 widow 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.500 move us 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.540 to generous 00:34:46.540 --> 00:34:47.560 and sacrificial 00:34:47.560 --> 00:34:47.980 giving? 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.120 Whether it's 00:34:50.120 --> 00:34:50.580 to the building 00:34:50.580 --> 00:34:51.019 project, 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:51.600 to the church 00:34:51.600 --> 00:34:52.080 in general, 00:34:52.180 --> 00:34:52.580 to local 00:34:52.580 --> 00:34:53.120 ministries, 00:34:53.220 --> 00:34:53.600 to global 00:34:53.600 --> 00:34:53.960 missions, 00:34:54.080 --> 00:34:54.420 to people 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:54.760 you know 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.260 personally 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:56.060 who have 00:34:56.060 --> 00:34:56.860 real needs, 00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:58.680 I can think 00:34:58.680 --> 00:34:59.060 of a few 00:34:59.060 --> 00:34:59.620 examples 00:34:59.620 --> 00:35:01.300 in my own 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.820 lifetime 00:35:01.820 --> 00:35:03.400 when I have 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.019 seen someone 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.780 give of their 00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:05.920 limited resources 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:07.599 as generously 00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.940 and completely 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.500 and wholeheartedly 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.300 as this widow 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.659 did. 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:13.960 I will not 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.539 soon forget 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:14.840 them. 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.780 In 2 Corinthians 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.119 8, 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:18.820 the apostle Paul 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:19.320 tells us 00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:19.659 of a group 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:20.119 of believers 00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:20.760 who despite 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.579 their own 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.360 limited means 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:23.360 gave generously 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.740 and exceedingly 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.260 to help 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:26.059 famine-stricken 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.519 Christians 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:27.099 in another 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:27.659 part of the 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.000 world. 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.019 Paul writes, 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.539 in a severe 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.500 test of affliction, 00:35:31.700 --> 00:35:32.500 their abundance 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.180 of joy 00:35:33.180 --> 00:35:34.440 and their 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.820 extreme poverty 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:37.519 have overflowed 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.180 in a wealth 00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:39.019 of generosity 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:39.620 on their 00:35:39.620 --> 00:35:40.019 part. 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.500 For they 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.420 gave according 00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:42.800 to their 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:44.059 means and 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:44.640 beyond their 00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.380 means of 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:45.800 their own 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:46.260 accord, 00:35:46.680 --> 00:35:47.180 begging us 00:35:47.180 --> 00:35:47.880 earnestly for 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.580 the favor of 00:35:48.580 --> 00:35:49.200 taking part 00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:49.780 in the relief 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.460 of the saints. 00:35:51.180 --> 00:35:51.820 They gave 00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:52.580 themselves first 00:35:52.580 --> 00:35:53.220 to the Lord 00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:54.360 and then by 00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:54.780 the will of 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.539 God to us. 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:57.940 You see, 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.420 the widow 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.460 in Jerusalem 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.320 at the temple 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.559 and the afflicted 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.480 believers in 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.320 Macedonia that 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:03.940 Paul was speaking 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.360 about, 00:36:04.700 --> 00:36:05.460 they gave to 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.599 God what 00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.139 belonged to 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.519 God, 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.039 their very 00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.559 selves. 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.400 Jesus said, 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:12.920 she put in 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:14.860 all she had 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.360 to live on. 00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:17.119 The widow 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:18.059 wasn't looking 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.880 to be admired 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.659 or recognized 00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:20.260 by other 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.559 people. 00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:21.059 She knew 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.599 her offering 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:21.900 would have 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.840 seemed minuscule 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.800 and tiny 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.519 compared to 00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:25.699 almost anyone 00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.280 else's, 00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:27.099 but she gave 00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:27.940 anyway out of 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:29.099 sincere love 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:29.679 for God 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:30.179 himself. 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.340 That is 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:32.539 true worship. 00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:34.880 and it's 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.259 a beautiful 00:36:35.259 --> 00:36:35.659 thing. 00:36:38.279 --> 00:36:38.920 And her 00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:39.940 sacrifice of 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.519 love for 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.820 God would 00:36:41.820 --> 00:36:42.239 one day 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:42.779 produce a 00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:44.400 harvest that 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:44.900 she could not 00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.519 even imagine. 00:36:47.219 --> 00:36:47.900 Think about 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.400 all the gifts 00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:48.679 that were 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:49.759 given in the 00:36:49.759 --> 00:36:50.259 temple that 00:36:50.259 --> 00:36:50.539 day. 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.840 Which one 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.900 ended up 00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:55.139 having the 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:55.840 most lasting 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:57.039 impact in 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.659 all of human 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.079 history? 00:36:58.079 --> 00:37:01.420 undoubtedly 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:01.980 hers. 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:03.980 Against 00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:04.679 all odds, 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:05.099 who would 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.619 have thought? 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:06.980 But just 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.420 think how 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.019 many people 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.400 over the 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:09.179 last 2,000 00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:09.659 years have 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:10.159 been moved 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.860 to generous 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.639 and sacrificial 00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:12.539 giving by 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:13.500 this poor 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.139 widow's 00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.679 example. 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.380 Even though 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:15.759 she probably 00:37:15.759 --> 00:37:16.639 had no clue 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:16.980 in her 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:17.799 entire earthly 00:37:17.799 --> 00:37:19.799 life that 00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.340 her offering 00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:20.799 to God 00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:21.299 that day 00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:21.819 would have 00:37:21.819 --> 00:37:22.480 more than 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:22.819 the most 00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:23.579 negligible 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.119 impact. 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:26.900 But you 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.239 see, you 00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:27.679 cannot 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.739 calculate in 00:37:28.739 --> 00:37:30.440 advance what 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.000 will be the 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.500 impact of 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.339 an act of 00:37:33.339 --> 00:37:34.679 worship that 00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.319 is motivated 00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:36.039 by genuine 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:37.079 love for 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:37.500 God. 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:40.339 In the 00:37:40.339 --> 00:37:41.279 moment, it 00:37:41.279 --> 00:37:41.719 may seem 00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.519 completely 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:45.099 impractical. 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:52.980 And yet, 00:37:52.980 --> 00:37:54.139 God can 00:37:54.139 --> 00:37:54.599 bring such 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:54.880 a great 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:56.980 harvest if 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.420 He chooses. 00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.019 But you 00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.260 know, the 00:38:00.260 --> 00:38:00.519 greatest 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:02.340 giver and 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:02.639 the most 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.059 wholehearted 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.639 worshiper in 00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.300 this story was 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:05.920 not the 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:06.380 poor widow. 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.179 The 00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:09.420 greatest 00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:09.840 giver and 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:10.139 the most 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:10.579 wholehearted 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:12.320 worshiper was 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:12.679 the one who 00:38:12.679 --> 00:38:13.260 noticed her 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:14.219 and praised 00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:14.500 her. 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.619 Because you 00:38:16.619 --> 00:38:16.960 see, we're 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.440 heading toward 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:18.320 the climax of 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:18.980 Luke's gospel. 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:20.760 And the 00:38:20.760 --> 00:38:21.579 climax of Luke's 00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.960 gospel is 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.300 when the 00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:24.000 eternal Son of 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:25.119 God, Jesus 00:38:25.119 --> 00:38:26.320 Christ, gives 00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:30.000 His life, is 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:33.139 crucified, and 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.740 He offers His 00:38:33.740 --> 00:38:34.240 life as a 00:38:34.240 --> 00:38:34.980 sacrifice to 00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.440 God on 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:36.199 behalf of 00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:37.099 sinful human 00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:37.860 beings. 00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:40.740 The widow had 00:38:40.740 --> 00:38:41.400 only a little. 00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:44.760 Jesus Christ 00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:45.960 had a lot. 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:48.280 Jesus Christ, 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.300 the eternal 00:38:49.300 --> 00:38:50.059 Son of God, was 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.880 eternally rich, 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:51.639 highly exalted. 00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:52.099 You can't 00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:52.460 get higher 00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:52.879 than that. 00:38:53.139 --> 00:38:53.420 The widow 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:53.859 gave her 00:38:53.859 --> 00:38:54.400 last two 00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:54.900 cents, all 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.779 she had, and 00:38:55.779 --> 00:38:57.839 Jesus gave 00:38:57.839 --> 00:38:58.960 all He had, 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.319 which was 00:39:00.319 --> 00:39:00.940 far more. 00:39:01.779 --> 00:39:02.819 His honor, His 00:39:02.819 --> 00:39:03.619 comfort, His 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.480 privileges, His 00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.219 very life. 00:39:05.759 --> 00:39:06.279 He held 00:39:06.279 --> 00:39:07.019 nothing back. 00:39:08.879 --> 00:39:09.379 The widow 00:39:09.379 --> 00:39:10.079 gave, despite 00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:11.359 being ignored and 00:39:11.359 --> 00:39:12.259 mistreated by the 00:39:12.259 --> 00:39:13.079 temple authorities, 00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:14.440 Jesus gave His 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.420 life on the cross 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.379 surrounded by 00:39:16.379 --> 00:39:17.099 people who were 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:18.960 taunting and 00:39:18.960 --> 00:39:20.099 ridiculing and 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:21.139 humiliated Him. 00:39:22.299 --> 00:39:24.179 But He stayed, and 00:39:24.179 --> 00:39:25.179 He prayed, Father, 00:39:25.339 --> 00:39:26.239 forgive them, for 00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:27.000 they don't know what 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.539 they are doing. 00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:30.119 Jesus didn't just 00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:30.860 give out of His 00:39:30.860 --> 00:39:31.480 abundance while 00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:32.319 remaining comfortable 00:39:32.319 --> 00:39:32.719 Himself. 00:39:32.880 --> 00:39:33.880 He gave a great 00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:35.019 cost to Himself 00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:35.940 until it literally 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:36.739 killed Him. 00:39:38.599 --> 00:39:39.420 And He did it 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:41.480 all out of the 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.779 most pure love 00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:44.699 for God, His 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.019 Father. 00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:45.099 Father. 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:48.539 Some of His last 00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.440 words were, Father, 00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:51.099 into Your hands I 00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.340 commit my spirit. 00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:56.380 He gave Himself to 00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:57.659 God in obedience, 00:39:57.980 --> 00:40:01.259 in love, on behalf 00:40:01.259 --> 00:40:03.039 of guilty and corrupt 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.340 sinners. 00:40:04.199 --> 00:40:04.719 You see, the widow 00:40:04.719 --> 00:40:05.880 gave in an environment 00:40:05.880 --> 00:40:06.719 that had become 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:07.159 corrupted. 00:40:09.159 --> 00:40:10.360 Jesus gave His life 00:40:10.360 --> 00:40:11.099 in a world that had 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:13.059 become corrupted for 00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:14.099 the sake of those 00:40:14.099 --> 00:40:15.420 who had been 00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.599 corrupted by 00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:18.679 self-centeredness and 00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:20.119 all kinds of sin 00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:20.840 that makes us 00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:21.179 guilty. 00:40:23.219 --> 00:40:24.219 And when Jesus 00:40:24.219 --> 00:40:25.239 hung on that cross, 00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:26.579 no one who looked 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:27.599 at Him could 00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:28.739 imagine anything 00:40:28.739 --> 00:40:29.940 good that would 00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:30.719 come out of that. 00:40:32.299 --> 00:40:33.199 And yet, 00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:37.059 Jesus' act of 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:38.259 worship, Jesus' 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:39.719 sacrifice of love 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:40.599 for God on the 00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:42.719 cross has produced 00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:44.359 a harvest far 00:40:44.359 --> 00:40:46.159 beyond what anyone 00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:47.459 back then could 00:40:47.459 --> 00:40:48.039 have imagined. 00:40:50.379 --> 00:40:51.719 We are all here 00:40:51.719 --> 00:40:54.079 today because of 00:40:54.079 --> 00:40:55.239 Jesus Christ and His 00:40:55.239 --> 00:40:56.359 self-giving love on 00:40:56.359 --> 00:40:56.839 the cross. 00:40:58.319 --> 00:40:59.480 Maybe you're only 00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:00.299 hearing this message 00:41:00.299 --> 00:41:01.259 for the very first 00:41:01.259 --> 00:41:03.519 time, but that's 00:41:03.519 --> 00:41:04.419 what Christianity is 00:41:04.419 --> 00:41:05.199 all about. 00:41:06.959 --> 00:41:08.259 That God Himself 00:41:08.259 --> 00:41:09.699 sent His only Son that 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:10.859 Jesus willingly came 00:41:10.859 --> 00:41:12.199 and gave His life 00:41:12.199 --> 00:41:13.439 as a sacrifice 00:41:13.439 --> 00:41:15.039 on behalf of 00:41:15.039 --> 00:41:15.460 others 00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:18.099 so that our sins 00:41:18.099 --> 00:41:18.879 could be forgiven, 00:41:19.619 --> 00:41:20.699 so that we could be 00:41:20.699 --> 00:41:22.579 restored to a right 00:41:22.579 --> 00:41:23.659 relationship with God 00:41:23.659 --> 00:41:25.460 now and eternally. 00:41:26.819 --> 00:41:27.779 The Apostle Paul 00:41:27.779 --> 00:41:28.460 put it this way, 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.439 For you know the grace 00:41:29.439 --> 00:41:30.519 of our Lord Jesus 00:41:30.519 --> 00:41:31.019 Christ, 00:41:31.839 --> 00:41:32.799 that though He was 00:41:32.799 --> 00:41:34.299 rich, yet for your 00:41:34.299 --> 00:41:35.460 sake He became poor 00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:37.059 so that you by His 00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:38.439 poverty might become 00:41:38.439 --> 00:41:38.819 rich. 00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:41.359 Do you see the beauty 00:41:41.359 --> 00:41:42.579 of His self-giving 00:41:42.579 --> 00:41:43.000 love? 00:41:45.259 --> 00:41:46.379 Who do you admire? 00:41:47.899 --> 00:41:49.000 Who do you look up 00:41:49.000 --> 00:41:49.939 to and want to be 00:41:49.939 --> 00:41:50.319 like? 00:41:52.019 --> 00:41:52.960 Who do you want 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:53.939 everyone else to know 00:41:53.939 --> 00:41:54.359 about? 00:41:55.699 --> 00:41:56.779 Who are you not ashamed 00:41:56.779 --> 00:41:57.939 to associate with and 00:41:57.939 --> 00:41:58.819 publicly praise? 00:41:58.939 --> 00:41:59.799 Do you see that Jesus 00:41:59.799 --> 00:42:02.500 is worthy of all that? 00:42:02.500 --> 00:42:05.619 He is worthy of our 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:07.139 admiration and honor 00:42:07.139 --> 00:42:08.380 and endless praise. 00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:10.199 Let us pray. 00:42:10.199 --> 00:42:10.239 Let us pray. 00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:21.179 Lord Jesus, we praise You 00:42:21.179 --> 00:42:24.739 for warning us 00:42:24.739 --> 00:42:27.819 against our own worst 00:42:27.819 --> 00:42:28.299 tendencies, 00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:31.739 against our self-promotion 00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:32.719 and self-serving 00:42:32.719 --> 00:42:35.059 impulses 00:42:35.059 --> 00:42:37.960 that come out of our 00:42:37.960 --> 00:42:38.359 hearts, 00:42:38.919 --> 00:42:41.739 often even more than we're 00:42:41.739 --> 00:42:43.359 conscious of. 00:42:43.360 --> 00:42:44.360 love. 00:42:44.360 --> 00:42:46.039 And we praise You 00:42:46.039 --> 00:42:47.740 for the example of this 00:42:47.740 --> 00:42:48.280 poor widow, 00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:50.740 for her faithful love 00:42:50.740 --> 00:42:51.200 for you, 00:42:52.240 --> 00:42:55.059 for you pointing that 00:42:55.059 --> 00:42:57.280 out to us as an 00:42:57.280 --> 00:42:57.640 example. 00:42:58.640 --> 00:42:59.700 But we thank You 00:42:59.700 --> 00:43:00.360 above all 00:43:00.360 --> 00:43:02.740 for Your self-giving 00:43:02.740 --> 00:43:03.140 love, 00:43:03.139 --> 00:43:06.659 that You gave 00:43:06.659 --> 00:43:07.339 everything without 00:43:07.339 --> 00:43:07.980 holding anything 00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:08.400 back. 00:43:12.679 --> 00:43:14.039 You gave us Your 00:43:14.039 --> 00:43:14.460 life, 00:43:15.019 --> 00:43:15.639 Your righteousness, 00:43:16.639 --> 00:43:18.239 Your eternal joy. 00:43:19.619 --> 00:43:21.839 You took our sin, 00:43:22.599 --> 00:43:23.559 our guilt, 00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:24.839 and our death. 00:43:26.299 --> 00:43:27.039 What a glorious 00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:27.719 exchange. 00:43:29.839 --> 00:43:30.819 What a beautiful 00:43:30.819 --> 00:43:31.219 gift. 00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:34.059 Lord, 00:43:34.139 --> 00:43:34.960 may we be moved 00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:36.339 to worship You, 00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:37.980 to delight in You, 00:43:38.699 --> 00:43:40.259 to honor You, 00:43:40.500 --> 00:43:41.259 to praise You. 00:43:44.279 --> 00:43:45.219 And as we honor 00:43:45.219 --> 00:43:45.819 and praise You, 00:43:45.859 --> 00:43:46.500 we pray that we would 00:43:46.500 --> 00:43:48.000 become more and more 00:43:48.000 --> 00:43:48.519 like You, 00:43:49.719 --> 00:43:52.420 that as You have 00:43:52.420 --> 00:43:53.039 loved us, 00:43:53.879 --> 00:43:54.920 that we would love 00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:55.400 one another. 00:43:57.719 --> 00:43:58.639 In Your holy name 00:43:58.639 --> 00:43:59.019 we pray. 00:43:59.420 --> 00:43:59.719 Amen.