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Devotional Thought

The Greatest Grand Gesture

 

Luke 21:1-4

 

Luke 21:4 “All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

 

Recently a well-know and very successful pop star stated that none of her suitors have made a “crazy” grand gesture to get her attention. That was a disappointment to her.

 

In reflection, some of us have a true, genuine desire to make a “grand gesture” for God. To do something that will gain His attention and help us to rise above the world in His eyes.

 

In our passage Jesus has a different perspective.  He and His disciples were in the temple courts where He was sharing the good news.

 

The religious leaders of His day felt that in this public setting it was a good time to confront Jesus because of His heretical views and teachings.

 

Jesus masterfully addressed each issue that the religious leaders brought up in a way that disarmed the leaders as the people in the temple courts hung on every word.

 

Then the scripture says that “Jesus looked up.”  An amazing characteristic about Jesus is that He is observant.  He sees and notices everything.  He is not surprised but always vigilant about these teaching opportunities for His disciples and the crowds.

 

Thirteen wooden boxes with trumpet-shaped bronze funnels to guide the coins into the box were placed under the colonnades of the Court of the Women. This area was the actual Treasury. The sound these coins made against the metal would have indicated how much people offered to the Temple.

 

Jesus saw the people giving their gifts to the temple treasury. What struck Him was the wealthy giving their gifts and the noise it would have made.

 

Knowing human nature some did it for show. For those few, it was a “grand gesture” to get attention and possibly, in their minds, to rise above others in the eyes of God.

 

But notice the true “grand gesture” that caught Jesus’ eye. He “saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. Truly I tell you, he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others.’”

 

His statement certainly raised some eyebrows among the disciples. Their idea of a “grand gesture” was something more material or having to do with power and the wealthy as they gave large sums to God. This poor widow had neither.

 

Jesus was teaching His disciples, and us, to have a different perspective, a different approach. He said, “All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

 

Jesus did not condemn those who gave generously to kingdom work with the right motive. Rather, He is teaching a different perspective. He is showing what a true “grand gesture” looks like to the Father.

 

The poor widow gave till it hurt the most. She gave out of her poverty, in fact, she gave it all. She was so appreciative of God’s blessings and provision, even in meager sustenance that she gave all to give Him respect and glory. Now, that is the greatest “grand gesture!’

 

That begs the question, what does our “grand gesture” look like to the Father? He continues to “look.”

 

I’m convicted by Jesus’ words, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

 

Pastor Kirby

 

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Thought to Ponder

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“Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge ways of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.” Saint Augustine

“ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:20-21

Pray for those whose hearts are darkened that they may see the light.  Live your life so that you might be the light to the darkened. Take a look at yourself and be in awe that you are created in His image.

Pastor Kirby

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Devotion Thought

Persistence

Luke 18:1-8

My mom told me that when I was young that I was very persistent. I remember numerous times. as a young preschooler trying to get my mom’s attention, I would continually and persistently tug on her skirt until finally she would answer me.  She knew I wasn’t going away so she might as well give me her attention so she could get back to her project or conversation. 

In some sense that is what I see in this parable.  Jesus is telling a story that was all too familiar in that day…and ours as well.  It was about an unrighteous judge and a persistent widow who only wanted justice against her adversary and the judge couldn’t care less.

The unrighteous judge finally gave in.  It was not for some noble reason, rather he wanted her off his back.  She was an inconvenience and bothersome. The scripture also states that the judge thought she might “eventually come and attack” him.

Jesus shared some lessons from this story.  First, He said “Listen.”  Second, He said that God would “bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night. Third, He said, “I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”

God approves of being persistent in crying out to Him for justice to be given.  Do not tire  interceding or petitioning the Lord. Unlike the unrighteous judge, God, who is righteous, wants the very best for His followers. So be bold and live out the calling He has given you. Be persistent, stand strong and do not give up. Why?  Because Jesus says, “I tell you.”  He is the Son of God, Savior of the world, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and He is the way, the truth, and the life. Be victorious conquerors.  Stay the course.

Blessings,

Pastor Kirby

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