Wednesday's Thoughts on Sunday's sermon

"The Widow's Conspiracy"

The placement of the story of the "widow's mite" in the text has its own message that that is what I am going to try to discover this week.

The story is found in two of the Gospels. Mark 12 and Luke 21 and both present the story in the same context.

Mark was written in 70 AD right after the Roman's destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Luke wrote about fifteen years later.

The story of the widow's mite come in the context of the concern of both writers.
Prior to the story both Mark and Luke warn the reader of the gospel about the scribes who like to take the important places of honor. At the end of the story of the widow's mite both Luke and Mark refer to the fact that the great buildings will fall. The placement of the story is saying something we will want to notice.

What do you think it says?

A poor widow puts in two copper coins into the temple treasury. Mark and Luke want us to see that in the context of the scribes who think they are important.

A poor widow puts in two copper coins into the temple Treasury. Mark and Luke want us to see that in the context of concern that the buildings will fall down and not one stone will be left.

What does the story say to us in light of the context into which it is put?

Do you have an idea about that? I'm beginning to formulate some thoughts. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the "comments" box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster