What's REALLY Going on

 Explaining the Action

The best analysts have the ability to tell us what’s REALLY going on. Whether it’s a color commentator on the broadcast of a game or some political guru covering an election, they explain the action and break down what we’re seeing.

So many times, there’s WAY more going on than meets the eye. Whether it’s with a Telestrator or a giant video wall, these analysts tell us just what to look for.

Tuesday at the Temple Treasury

That’s exactly what Jesus does for His team of twelve one Tuesday at the temple treasury (Mk 12:41-44). As they watch folks giving their offerings, the Lord doesn’t want the guys to miss what’s REALLY important.

And it would be easy to miss. Lots of rich folks are making a big show making their offerings. It’s the First Century version of a photo op with a giant check. Ever wondered what it would be like depositing one of those bad boys at the local branch bank?

But the Lord wants His personal posse to pay attention to that inconspicuous woman. Hey, look over there! See that lady in the back? That’s who I want you to see.

Not Just Any Tuesday

Before we hear our Savior’s analysis of the action, let’s back up and set the stage. It’s Tuesday. But not just any Tuesday. It’s the last week of Jesus’ earthly life.  

It’s what we’ve come to call Passion Week. We’re counting down the hours until Jesus’ betrayal, torture, crucifixion, and death.

A Wild Week

It’s been a wild week to this point. The huge hero’s welcome for Messiah’s arrival on Sunday (Mk 11:1-11). Christ’s cleans house at the temple on Monday (Mk 11:15-18). 

Then there were the endless challenges to the Lord’s authority by the Hebrew home office (Mk 11:27-12:34).

 

These so-called experts wonder where this Rabbi/Carpenter from the boondocks gets off throwing His weight around on their turf.

But our Savior flips the script on each one of them and then exposes them for the religious bullies they really are (Mk 12:35-40).

The Place is Packed

Which brings us to the temple treasury. Apparently the place is packed. Mark tells us what happens next. 

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the temple and watched as the crowds dropped off their money” (v41).

Christ Looks Closely

According to biblical archaeologists, the treasury was in the part of the temple complex known as the Court of the Women. This is as far as the ladies are allowed. That makes sense when Jesus points out the person at the center of the story.

Around the outside of the this courtyard are thirteen trumpet-shaped funnels where people put their offerings. For those of us of a certain age, they’re like the bins where you would toss your change in order to pay to drive on a toll road.

Mark describes how Jesus takes a seat and takes a look. The word the NLT translates as “watched” (Gr. θεωρεω/theoreo) means to be a spectator and view attentively. Christ is looking very closely at what’s going on.

Brass in Pocket

He’s checking out the people and their giving. Interestingly, the word “money” here is actually the Greek word for brass (Gr. χαλκος/chalkos). There’s no paper money or plastic back in the day. Just coins made of brass, silver and gold.

It’s easy to imagine that folks with deep pockets are the stars of the show in the temple treasury. “Many rich people put in large amounts” (v41). In the words of the Pretenders, they’ve got brass in pocket. We’re talking LOTS of of brass.

Making It Rain

Because these receptacles are also made of metal, they really ring when wealthy worshipers toss in their coins. Lots of coins mean lots of noise. 

It’s like the lyrics in that old Georgia Satellites’ tune. “Got a little change in my pocket, going jing-a-ling-a-ling.” 

Almost Lost in the Background 

That’s when, somewhere off to the side, almost lost in the background, an unassuming woman has come to drop off her contribution. “Then a poor widow came a dropped in two small coins” (v42).

When we take a closer look at Mark’s choice of words to describe her as well as her cultural context, we see a lady that’s way worse off than at first glance.

Penniless and Powerless

First of all, to be “poor” (Gr. πτωχος/ptochos) paints a picture of someone totally dependent on others for support. She’s destitute, penniless, and powerless.

Maybe she’s just going through a hard time and simply needs a little help to get back on her feet. Sorry. The term indicates a continuous state not a temporary situation. 

If that’s not bad enough, πτωχος/ptochos comes from a root word meaning someone who crouches or cringes. In other words, a beggar. She probably spends most of her day pleading for money and panhandling just to survive.

A Gaping Hole

Chances are she wasn’t always like this. That’s because she’s a a woman whose husband has died. 

The Greek noun for “widow” (Gr. χηρα/chera) comes from a word that describes a huge chasm or vacuum. The loss of her husband has left a gaping hole in her life.

No Life Insurance

Not only is there a massive void left by the death of her husband. It’s worse than that. There’s no one more marginalized in the Greco-Roman than a woman to be left all alone with no husband. 

If her late husband was working class, he would have left her very few resources when died. There’s no life insurance check coming her way.

Two Small Coins

Despite all of that, she’s come to the temple to worship. Remember, this is the Court of the Women. It’s as far as Jewish ladies are allowed to enter. Before she leaves, this lady returns to God what He has given her.

Tink. Tink. That’s the sound of “two small coins” trickling down the treasury trumpet. The original language tells us that these are actually λεπτος/leptos, copper coins worth one half of a quadrant or 1/128 of a denarius.

45 Cents

If you’re like me, you’re probably not up on the latest exchange rates between First Century Palestinian currency and 21st Century American money.

A denarius would be a full day’s wage for a blue collar working stiff. So for comparison, let’s use a day’s pay in the U.S. based on the minimum wage of $7.25 in 2020. That comes to a whopping $58.

Divide $58 by 128 and we find discover that what she gives amounts to right at 45 cents. Those two leptos are less than a couple of quarters. Not very impressive when compared to offerings of the rich clanging all around her.

A Teachable Moment

But when our Savior sees her, He tells His team to huddle up. “Jesus called His disciples to Him and said…” (v43).

Once again, the radical Rabbi/Carpenter sees this as a teachable moment for His team. Look closely, boys. I don’t want you to miss this.

Breaking It Down

He begins breaking down the action by saying, “I tell you the truth” (v43). The smart aleck in me wants to come back with something snarky like, “So You’ve been lying to us before?” 

That’s probably just one of the reasons He didn’t choose me to be one of the Twelve. I mean, really. It may be one of His better decisions when you think about it.

Over and Out

The Greek word the NLT translates as “truth” is actually αμην/amen. Yup, you read that right. Amen. Maybe you thought that’s just how we’re supposed to “hang up” at the end of a prayer. You know, like God’s version of “over and out.”

“Amen” shows up a grand total of 52 times in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Throw in another 25 in John’s Gospel. And get this. Jesus is the only one who says it.

This is the Way It Should Be!

But it’s NOT how the Son of God ends His chats with His heavenly Dad. He uses it as a point of emphasis. Listen to this. Watch this. Are you paying attention? Don’t miss this!

It actually comes an ancient Hebrew that strongly emphasizes the truth of what’s said or done. Think something along the lines of “That’s true!” or “This is the way it should be!” 

Truth from the Truth

Makes sense when you think about it. We can trust the One who is THE Truth (Jn 14:6) to always tell us the truth (Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18). God never lies. Ever.

That’s not all. In one of Paul’s letters to Christ’s followers in Corinth, he refers to our Savior as our “Amen” since God fulfills every single one of His promises in Him (2Cor 1:20).

And did you know that Jesus even calls Himself “the Amen—the faithful and true Witness” (Rev 3:14)? It’s true!

Making It Rain

Meanwhile back at the temple treasury, Christ wants the Twelve to understand the truth of what’s really going on.

“I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions” (v43).

Don’t miss that lady right there, boys. It may not look like much but she’s really making it rain in God’s kingdom!

More Than the Others Combined

Get this. A truckload of Bible experts believe the Lord is actually saying that she’s giving more than ALL THE RICH FOLKS COMBINED!

Hold the phone!  How can that be?!?  All she did was toss a couple of measly coins.  How in the world can what she’s given be more than the massive deposit dropped off by all the wealthy worshipers?!?  

I’m no math major but this does NOT make sense! I’ve got a pretty good feeling the disciples are also thinking this doesn’t add up.

The Source of Our Giving

Luckily for them and for us, our Savior breaks down what’s going down. “For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has to live on” (v44).

Did you catch that? Jesus points out that the key here is the source of our giving. When we give from our leftovers, it’s really no big deal to God. On the other hand, He loves it when we return to Him what we think we need.

Finding Change in the Couch

Let’s take a closer look. And once again, a great way to do that is with dive into the original language of Mark’s Gospel. Ready? Cool. Let’s go.

First of all, the Lord says those who are loaded give from “a tiny part of their surplus” (v44). The Greek word here is περισσευω/perisseuo. It paints a picture of excessive abundance, overflow, and more than enough.

In other words, these high rollers may toss in impressive amounts but it really makes no dent in their budget or lifestyle. They can easily find a huge chunk of change digging around in their couch or in the cupholder of their chariot.

Lacking the Essentials of Daily Life

On the other hand, Christ reminds us of just how broke this widow really is. Behind the phrase “poor as she is” is the word ‘υστερησις/‘usteresis. It means poverty, deep need, and says she lacks the essentials of life.

Despite zero resources, this lady is contributing all she has “to live on” (Gr. βιος/bios). Does the Greek word look familiar? Yup, it’s where we get the “bio” in biology.

In this context, it’s talking about her livelihood, what she needs to live an earthly life and function in society, or her resources for making it through the day.

Putting Her Money Where Her Faith Is

The Lord says here’s the deal. These rich folks give from what’s left over. They’re trusting in themselves and their bank account to handle what life throws their way.

Meanwhile, the broke widow gives sacrificially from what she’s going to need. That might sound crazy but she’s really putting her money where her faith is. She’s trusting that God will provide.

Trusting and Tithing

That’s actually the principle behind what’s known as tithing. While the word basically means “ten percent,” it’s way more than that.

Tithing is trusting that 90 percent with God is WAY more than 100 percent without Him. It turns our generosity into an act of faith and dependance on the Great Giver to provide what we need. 

You Can’t Out-Give God

You may have heard folks say, “You can’t out-give God.” And you can take that one to the bank. He already gave His best so that we could spend eternity with Him (Jn 3:16).

Did you know that, as a general rule, the lower the income, the greater the percentage of generosity? And the reverse is true as well.  The higher the income, the lower the percentage of generosity.

That’s what’s going on when Paul tells the Corinthians how the people in the churches of Macedonia are flat broke but have “overflowed in rich generosity” (2Cor 8:2). He says get these folks who didn’t have anything gave WAY more than they could afford.

Our Ultimate Example of Generosity

The former Pharisee goes on to say that our Savior is our ultimate example when it comes to generosity. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich” (2Cor 8:9).

But wait. Wasn’t Jesus a homeless Galilean rabbi who at the high point of His working career was a blue collar construction worker? 

The Dumpster Dive from Heaven

Yes, but rewind even further. Before Nazareth, before Bethlehem, the Son of God lived in the heavenly palace in the lap of ultimate luxury. We can’t begin to wrap our brains around how amazing this is. It makes Sandals look like tent camping.

Yet the Lord was willing to leave it all behind in order to make the dumpster dive and save us from our sin and rebellion. He chucked it all in order to come to our rescue.

Three days after this Tuesday at the temple treasury, Jesus pay the price for you and me and give all He has for all of us. 

Look Closer

Meantime, He wants everyone to see what real generosity looks like. Don’t get distracted by the glitz and glamour of people wanting to put on a big show of how much they give.

Okay, here’s where it gets dicey. Would my Savior circle me with His divine Telestrator as one to watch when it comes to giving? Can I get back to you on that one?

The Lord says we need to look closer. Look for those who give sacrificially. Just like that widow over there in the corner.

©2021

Jay Jennings 

This Little Light of Mine

Hoarding the Internet

Imagine Thomas Edison keeping the lightbulb just to himself. What if Jonas Salk decided to bogart the cure for polio and not share it with the public? I don’t even want to consider the idea of Al Gore personally hoarding the internet.

Seems pretty silly, doesn’t it? You’ve got something that could change lives of people everywhere but decide to save it all for yourself. That’s exactly the kind of selfishness and absurdity Jesus says we practice whenever His followers get greedy with the grace of God.

A Light in the Darkness

In his biography of Jesus, John Mark writes the time the Lord uses the image of light shining in the darkness to illustrate the idea to His closest followers (Mk 4:21-23). The best way to understand His point is to have our Savior sing us the lyrics of that old Sunday school ditty. It goes a little something like this…

This little light of Mine, you’ve gotta let it shine!

When and Where

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. In order to understand what the Lord is about to say, we need context. That’s a fancy way of saying we need to know what’s going on.

The time is around AD 30. The place is northern Israel. More specifically near the big lake known as the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has just wrapped up speaking to a crowd so big that He had to use a boat to keep from getting crushed (Mk 4:1).

Parables 101

In order to get His point across to the audience, the radical Rabbi/Carpenter uses a teaching tool called a parable (Mk 4:2). When He’s finished talking to the big crowd, Jesus’ personal posse pulls Him aside and asks to explain His word picture of seeds and soils (Mk 4:3-10).

Christ not only connects the dots on the original illustration but gives them a quick lesson in unlocking these metaphors (Mk 4:11-20). Call it Parables 101. They will become the favorite tool in His teaching toolbox in order to shed light on the Kingdom of God.

Expecting a “No”

After illuminating His first parable, Christ goes on to tell them a second story about a lamp. He begins by asking them a question. “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not!” (v21).

Before we get to the parable itself, there’s something we need to see. Mark’s construction of the original Greek here actually expects you to answer “no.” He uses the little word μητι/meti, which automatically assumes an obviously negative answer.

That’s Crazy Talk!

We see it each time someone presents a premise is so ridiculous and over the top that you could never dream of it actually happening. Like if someone pitches a movie idea where a defective hot tub at a ski resort accidentally sends people back in time. Oh wait. They actually made that one. Never mind.

But when the Son of God describes scene in His story, there’s nobody listening who thinks this can ever happen. Put a lamp under basket or bed? You can just hear people respond, “That’s crazy talk! Are you out of your ever-lovin’ mind?!?”

Everyday Stuff for an Eternal Point

Once again, Jesus uses everyday stuff in order to make an eternal point. He takes household items. A lamp. A basket. A bed. A stand. These are things you’d find in the average Galilean home. He goes on to describe something you would do every evening when the sun went down.

Since we’re talking about life in the First Century, let’s make sure we know what our Savior is talking about. A “lamp” (Gr. luchnos/λυχνοσ) is a portable light source made of a burning wick soaked in oil held by a small clay pot. It’s actually something other than a candle.

No Flip of the Switch

Remember, these people are living a few thousand years before electricity. Light isn’t just one little flip of the switch away. If the sun’s not up, it’s dark. You desperately need a light source. Think back to the last time your power went out and you scrambled for candles and a flashlight.

That’s everyday life during the life of Jesus. Back in the day, your day was completely oriented around…well…the day! Before sunrise and after sunset, you would light your lamp in order to see what you’re doing or where you’re going.

How Many Pecks in a Bushel?

The next ordinary variety item is the “basket” (Gr. μοδιος/modios). The word here describes a Roman measurement of grain that equals about two gallons or eight quarts (one peck…as if anybody really knows what that is!).

This is a woven bin, bucket, or box used for carrying dry goods like grain or flour. The only time this word is used in this same illustration in other Gospels (Mt 5:15; Lk 11:33). Bible expert Alexander MacLaren believes the basket symbolizes our work life, the desire for money, power, and status. I think he’s all over it.

A First Century Recliner

Jesus also mentions a “bed” (Gr. κλινη/kline). This is any piece of furniture that allows you to recline or lie down. It literally means a recliner. But don’t make the mistake that this is your dad’s favorite La-Z-Boy for watching SportsCenter.

It could be a mattress for sleeping, a couch for relaxing, or even the piece of furniture that folks would use to lean back and eat a meal. That same Bible ninja thinks the bed symbolizes our home and where we kick back and get comfortable. Once again, I’m pretty sure he nailed it.

Well, Duh

We find the fourth household item in the answer to Jesus’ original rhetorical question. “A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine” (v21). The Greek word λυχνια/luchnia is any sort of device for holding one or more oil lamps up high. It could be anything from a fancy schmancy candelabra or simply a shelf on the wall.

Remember how Christ assumes a “no” to His original question? Well the grammar of this next sentence implies an obvious “yes” response. The idea is goes a little something like this. “You would put a lamp on stand, right? Right?!?” Well, duh. Where else would you put one?!?!

Get It High and Let It Shine

Once you ignite the light, you get up high. The higher the lamp, the brighter the room. A tall stand or well-placed ledge allows one little light to have the greatest impact in driving back the darkness. Get it high. Let it shine.

Jesus’ parable about lamps, baskets, beds, and stands has a couple of meanings. And whattaya know, they’re both related to His seed scattering story. First and foremost, it’s about letting this little light of the Lord shine brightly in our lives.

How do we know? Because our Savior says something very similar in the Sermon on the Mount. By the way, some folks wonder why Jesus seems to repeat Himself so much.

Jesus’ Most Famous Sermon

Well, there’s a pretty good chance that Christ used the same illustration at several different times and places. Most great teachers and speakers don’t just say something once and look for new material.

So back in His most famous sermon, Jesus tells His hillside audience, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:15-16).

Did you catch that? He doesn’t command His followers shine but states it as a fact. You ARE the light of the world. If we’ve placed your trust in Christ, we shine His light. We crank up the beacon of God’s goodness in our lives whenever we do good things for others.

How Bright Is My Light?

The bigger question is how well are we radiating His love, His truth, and His grace to those around us? What’s the quality of our illumination? How bright is our light? How high have we lifted His lamp?

The more I share and sacrifice, the higher I lift the light of Jesus. The more I put others’ needs ahead of my own, the brighter His light shines. And remember, the One who gets the credit isn’t us but our heavenly Dad.

Cracked Pots

That’s because it’s NOT my light but His! The only reason we are the light of the world (Mt 5:16) is because He is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12)! And Jesus absolutely LOVES shining His light through broken vessels and cracked pots like you and me.

The Apostle Paul puts it like this. “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2Cor 4:7).

A Dimmer Switch on the Divine

But too many times my life is more like a dimmer switch on the divine light of Jesus. Remember what that Bible guru said about putting the lamp in the wrong places like the basket and bed?

We shove God’s light under a basket whenever we allow our work to consume us and take priority over our relationship with the Lord. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about working on Sunday. What I am talking about is giving your profession the poll position in your life.

Work Takes No Prisoners

I know, I know. You would NEVER make that mistake. Take it from somebody has. You tell yourself it won’t happen to you. Working late shouldn’t be a problem. Picking up a shift over the weekend isn’t a big deal. Hey, who couldn’t use the overtime?

If I’m not paying attention, work has a nasty habit of weaseling everything else out of the way. It takes no prisoners. That includes my faith. Especially my faith.

Instead, I need to pull His light out from under the basket and give Jesus the top priority that only He deserves. Let His lamp shine brightly for everyone to see puts my career back in then proper order.

What’s Your Sleep Number?

On the other end of the spectrum, our Savior also mentions a bed. He’s not talking about a Serta Perfect Sleeper or giving His divine endorsement to the Sleep Number Bed.

The bed symbolizes our desire for comfort and rest. Don’t get me wrong. God wants us to get our rest. Remember, He actually commanded His people get a weekly day off after 400-plus years without one (Ex 20:8).

Me, Myself, and I

The problem comes when we only focus on our R&R at the expense of everything and everybody else. Here’s the deal. Letting the Lord’s light shine is all about sacrifice. We have to get off our Blessed Assurance to make that happen.

What do the work “basket” and comfort “bed” have in common? Three things: me, myself, and I. That’s to say they’re both the result of selfishness. Some of us are prone to worship at the altar of the workplace. Some of us kick back on a comfy couch. Too many of us can pull off this selfish double without any problem at all!

Stimulating Our Curiosity

But, remember we said Jesus’ parable has second meaning as well. The other meaning has to do with how and why He loves using these simple stories. His purpose of speaking in parables isn’t to keep God’s truth hidden. It was to sharpen our attention and stimulate our curiosity.

Christ makes that glaringly apparent when He tells them, “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light” (v22). It may be out of sight now, but just you wait. What you’ll soon see will be outta sight!

Don’t Be Greedy with the Gospel

That’s because Jesus certainly isn’t being greedy with the Gospel. It’s the whole reason He’s come. Christ came from heaven in order to give. To give us overflowing life (Jn 10:10). To give His very own life.

Then just like He did we wrapping up story about seeds and soils (Mk 4:9), Jesus says once again, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (v23). It’s a mic drop moment. Hello, McFly!?!

Are You Tracking?

The Lord wants to make sure His closest followers are paying close attention. Eugene Peterson and the folks at The Message paraphrase it this way. “Are you listening to this? Really listening?” (v23 The Message). Are you tracking? Do you follow?

With that, Jesus gives us the very important reason we need to have our ears open and brains engaged. “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be give.” (v24-25).

A Spiritual Windfall

Christ tells us we get an amazing return on our investment. Whenever we apply what He tells us, we will experience a spiritual windfall! If I am truly paying attention and then applying His wisdom and guidance in my life, there’s a whole lot more where that comes from.

That happens by giving ourselves away. The Son of God doesn’t give His grace to us with the idea that it stops with us. We give and keep on giving. He calls us to be rivers of His goodness, not reservoirs of greed.

Selfish or Selfless?

On the other hand, the Lord warns us against selfishness. “But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them” (v25).

If I wrap my arms around what my Savior tells me, then there’s more of His goodness to come! But if I put a death grip on His gifts, I’ll lose what I already have. Think of it this way. Share what He gives! Otherwise you’re wasting your time. God will give it to somebody who will pass it along.

Generous Giver or Greedy Getter?

Jesus’ big idea from this little lesson about lamps, baskets and beds is all about generosity. Shine His light. Get it high. Make it bright. Pass it along.

Follow the Lord’s example. Be a generous giver, not a greedy getter. Be selfless, not selfish. Whatever He lavishes on you and me is NOT meant to be hoarded.

How dark would our lives be if Edison kept the light bulb to himself? How much suffering would there be if Salk didn’t share his discovery? What if Al Gore…well, get where I’m going. Let’s get out there and lift the lamp of God high.

This little light of Mine, you’ve got to let it shine!

©2017

Jay Jennings