“But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had…”‘ Mark 12:44

On a book shelf in my office I have a really cool book called “A Harmony of the Four Gospels.” Now you may be thinking that a ‘gospel harmony’ must be some kind of songbook, maybe for a southern gospel or blue grass quartet. Not exactly…

Actually, gospel harmonies have been around for thousands of years. The first one was called the Diatesseron and was compiled in 160 AD. A harmony is an attempt to merge or “harmonize” the 4 different gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) into one overall story. It’s a neat Bible study tool to actually read the story of Jesus in chronological order from start to finish. It brings freshness and vividness to the story and reminds me that the life and death of Jesus are not just abstract or spiritual concepts, but are actually rooted in time and space.

So as a devotional exercise this year, I’m trying to read through the passion week in real-time as it really happened- Sunday on Sunday, Monday on Monday, Tuesday on Tuesday, etc. I’m amazed at the teachings of Jesus during his final week- so much of it prefigures his coming sacrifice.

For example, under the heading of Wednesday morning, April 5, 30 AD, (today in the passion week) is this story.

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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 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

Since a young boy in Sunday school I’ve always loved this story of faith and sacrifice, but I’ve never realized that it happened right before Jesus’ own sacrificial death. Within 48 hours Jesus himself will be betrayed, arrested and imprisoned. He will endure two mock trial and multiple beatings- one at the hands of Roman soldiers. He will carry a cross, the implement of his own death, through the streets of Jerusalem until he collapses under the load. And then on a hill outside Jerusalem called “the place of the skull” the spotless son of God would voluntarily sacrifice himself for the sin of the whole world.

With all of this on his mind, Jesus calls his disciples over to observe this poor woman’s gift, her own small pittance for the kingdom of God. In light of his immense sacrifice, the laying down of his very life and the pouring out of his blood; what good can he possibly say about a fraction of a penny?

I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others…. she, out of her poverty, put in everything– all she had to live on.

Jesus validated and honored her sacrifice. It was precious to him. She gave it her all, everything she had, and her sacrifice pointed to his.

Jesus sees your sacrifice too. He sees every unacknowledged act done in his name. He validates it. It is precious to him. To the one struggling in a loveless marriage just barely hanging on, Jesus sees. To the single parent working two jobs, he knows. To the parents who are at their wits end with a difficult teen, he cares. Every selfless act, every sacrificial gift, every costly sacrifice; known or unknown, even down to the fraction of the penny matters to Jesus. He sees, he acknowledges and it matters. Our sacrifice in some small way points to his. It matters to him because it is all we have.

So take heart, dear friend. Nothing goes unnoticed and nothing is a loss. In God’s economy it all matters. His sacrifice makes our’s meaningful.