Do you ever feel insignificant? I imagine this woman did. She was just one poor, lonely widow in the crowd that day. She probably felt invisible among the happy families and important religious leaders and rich people in their fancy clothes.
The Bible doesn’t even tell us her name. The Gospel of Mark only takes five verses to tell us her story:
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44, NIV
Jesus didn’t take note of the many rich or powerful or well-dressed or important people who gave an offering that day. It wasn’t even a man He called to the attention of His disciples. Instead, He noticed the poor widow.
How many others do you think noticed her that day in the Temple court? Probably not very many. Instead, the crowds noticed the rich people who threw large amounts into the offering boxes. Their silver coins would have made a loud clanking noise as they hit the other coins in the box. Can you hear it?
The widow lovingly tossed two small copper coins into the box. It was nothing by the world’s standards, but it was everything she had. No one else heard the sound they made. No one else, but Jesus. To Jesus, it was the sound of faith. Out of all the worshipers that day in the temple, Jesus noticed her. He even called His disciples over so He could point her out to them. And He praised her for giving all she had.
Those two copper coins was everything the widow had to her name. This one act tells us so much about her. She treasured God more than she treasured her next meal. She had complete trust in God’s faithfulness to provide. And she was willing to place her very life in God’s hands.
Tiny by the world’s standards, her offering was huge to God. Her demonstration of faith was what mattered. Jesus saw her faith. Jesus felt her heart. And Jesus knew her name.
Do you sometimes feel insignificant? Do you ever wonder what you have to offer Jesus? Do you feel like your efforts for the Kingdom are meager?
Sister, be encouraged! You are significant to Jesus. He sees your heart. He knows your name. Whatever you have to give impacts His Kingdom. And all He wants from you is you!
On what occasions do you feel insignificant, lost in the crowd? How does this story remind you of God’s truth?
Oh, man, this is powerful: “No one else heard the sound they made. No one else, but Jesus. To Jesus, it was the sound of faith.”
I love the beautiful attention you’ve brought to this nameless woman’s story, Kathy. And the reminder that she (nor we) was nameless to God. Such a powerful act of faith in a seemingly small action. (Isn’t that what often impacts us the most, too?)
Caroline, it is so comforting to know that Jesus sees our hearts. He looks past all the trappings that catch the attention of the world and sees us!
What an example she is to us. The same thought resonated with me as with Caroline, thinking of the “sound of faith.” What a challenge today for the Lord to hear that from me!