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Mark 12:35-44 NIV
Whose Son Is the Messiah?
35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ 37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.
Warning Against the Teachers of the Law
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The Widow’s Offering
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.”
How do people use religion to make themselves look good?
Holy God, You are pure and holy. You have given me everything. I worship You. I pray that my heart is filled with Your love and my motives are pure. You know me for who I am. You know the intentions of my heart. Let my thoughts, desires, and behaviors be pleasing to You. Don’t let me be distracted by what other people think of me. Having positions of authority, saying long prayers, and giving large amounts of money cannot save me. Instead if done for my glory, they actually harm my relationship with You. I need to lead others to know You out of my love for You. I need to pray from the depths of my heart out of my love for You. Let my life be generous out of my love for You. For out of Your love for me, I am forgiven and saved. Out of my eternal gratitude let me serve You with all that I am and all that I have. Let my praise be authentic and filled with love for You. Let me trust You with my time, possessions, and finances and freely utilize them as You desire. Use what I have and what I do to lead others to know You as Lord and Savior. There is nothing more beautiful than my love relationship with my God. Help me to bring honor to You through my life. Amen