Mark 12

Scripture

Mark 12:41-44

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.”

Observation-What does it say?

Jesus highlights the poor widow’s offering to all the other offerings. Although the amount wasn’t as much as the rich people were putting in, He honored her gift above the other offerings because in faith, she gave everything she had. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

It is not about the amount we have to offer. It is about the heart behind what we are offering. 

God doesn’t judge the outward appearance, He judges the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

The poor widow in Scripture gave in faith, while the rich gave what they were comfortable with or felt safe with. The poor widow who gave in faith is who Jesus pointed out, not the rich, who probably just gave what they could spare.

Life Application

Do not compare the gifts we are able to offer to the Lord with the gifts our neighbor is offering to the Lord. Instead, offer up what He has given us in faith.

The parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 is a great example of this. What I love about that story is that “talents” does not only have to relate to money, but to time, gifts, talents, and abilities as well. God wants us to invest our “talents” for the Kingdom and although each person in the parable were given different amounts of talents, they were judged based on what they did with them. The Master was pleased with the servants who invested the talents He gave them, but was displeased with the servant who hid his out of fear. 

Dear Lord, Your Word says that without faith, it is impossible to please You. I pray that we would live our lives in faith and give of our time, money, ability and talents, investing it in the Kingdom and not bury it in the ground until You return. You have called us to be Your lights in this darkened world and not to hide (Matt. 5:14-16). I pray against pride, fear, complacency and idleness that cause us to want to live life in safety and for ourselves. May You replace that with faith in You and a faith that moves us to action to serve You and others. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Mark_11

Scripture - What stood out?Mark 11

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Observation - What does it say?Jesus had already entered Jerusalem the day before and on his way back to the temple Jesus gives us a prelude to the main event (Jesus emphatically driving out the buyers and sellers at the temple who had turned it into a den of thieves rather than a house of prayer). Understanding - What does it mean?In his bible commentary Alexander MacLaren writes regarding verse 12 “For experts tell us that in the fig-tree the leaves accompany, and do not precede, the fruit.” Jesus approaches a tree with the appearance of ripe fruit in the distance due to its leafy foliage. Upon closer inspection however, the tree has no actual fruit to offer. Jesus curses it and then proceeds to flip the temple inside out.Initially I felt bad for the tree. Until I read the MacLaren commentary. Leaves accompanied fruit. The tree therefore only gave the appearance of having fruit when in fact it did not. Much like how a group of teachers in that generation, perhaps even in ours, gave the appearance of having spiritual fruit, when in fact they did not. Just as there is no room in Jesus’s temple for thieves, there is no place in Jesus’s kingdom for people who appear to bear fruit in their lives but upon closer inspection do not.Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today? Jesus could not stand the Pharisees' appearance of holiness when their hearts were empty of actual devotion to God. The leafy fig tree is a reminder to us all  (not just to the teachers of the bible) that God seeks the attention of our hearts. And so I ask myself today, would God characterize me as a person who has - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control - in my life? Or not? 

Lord, today I choose to take a spiritual inventory of my life. Coach me where I am lacking. Help me to forgive where I am bitter. Show me how to live my life so that I bear an abundance of fruit. In the name of Jesus do I pray.

 

-Ken Lee

Mark 10

Scripture

Mark 10: 21

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

 

Observation

Jesus is continuing his travels when one day he is stopped by a “rich young ruler.” He asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, to which Jesus gives a straightforward answer. However, the young man keeps pushing until Jesus then responds like this. Having accumulated a lot of wealth, the young man decides that he has too much to let go of and leaves crestfallen.

 

Understanding

I seem to be picking a theme with my SOUL journals lately. That is, I’m very drawn to the verses that highlight a test or a trial to experience the fullness of God. I picked one that talked about being refined two weeks ago, and today this one caught my eye. Here’s why: Jesus loves him. Well duh! Jesus loves everyone, but this was highlighted as important or else it wouldn’t be there. A lot of times we think that when we say “yes” to giving our life to God that it means every task He’ll have us do will be easy. But as this verse shows Jesus challenges the ones He loves. We aren’t guaranteed to have smooth sailing just because we signed up for a lifetime contract with our Creator. The “fine print” of the contract often highlights trials and tribulations, and challenges to test our heart and motives (which again Jesus shows us here).

Another side note that I think is important to point out: Jesus had already given His answer and the young man pushed even more. Here’s the lesson: when you ask for more of God and His wisdom, expect that you’ll have to leave old things behind, or that He is going to entrust you with difficult tasks. “One thing you lack,” is Jesus’ response. Sometimes the “one thing we lack” is not exposed right away because we are being trained and equip to face what we lack. I know it is a daunting thing to think about, but Jesus promises “treasure in heaven.” I’m pretty sure this outweighs any earthly item we could ever imagine.

 

Life Application

One translation says that young man walked away sad because “he’s was holding on tight to a lot of things, that he was not about to let go.” What are you holding onto that doesn’t serve you anymore? Trust that God will provide, and provide abundantly! Maybe it’s something material, but maybe it’s a toxic relationship, or a horrid habit. Whatever it may be it’s time to come and follow Jesus (no more hiding from Him). And remember: He challenges you because He loves you!

-Allison Khan