“Ravenous Greed” (Mark 12:38-44)

Mark 12:38-44

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Pastor Tom Johnson, November 11, 2018

James Tissot: The Widow's Mite

Mark’s account of the widow who gives two small copper coins is part of a pair of stories that includes Jesus’ warning of the Pharisees’ greed and misuse of power. He begins with the word “Beware.” This is a warning. It is Jesus standing at the crossroads telling us not to go down the a destructive path. And the destructive path is the path of greed. Jesus goes behind what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears to reveal to us what God sees—the condition of the heart. Beware—watch out—look out for the seductive power of greed of the Pharisees. Through their status and sense of entitlement, they have found ways to prominence in public and ways to exploit the poor in private.

This is Jesus’ way of pulling the mask off to show us the real person inside. What you may think you see is a wealthy, well-known, and happy public person. But what Jesus reveals is someone who is being consumed from the inside out by greed. “They devour widow’s houses,” Jesus says. This is a very real case of a social injustice that Jesus identifies here. And the words he uses identifies the sinful appetite the Pharisees have for money and power. They are consuming the possessions of the poor. Their hunger for more is so intoxicating that they will even exploit those who have very little. They have been bewitched by money. And under the spell of greed they have lost all sense of loving their poor neighbor as they would want themselves to be loved.

It should be a wake up call to us all. Things are not what the seem when we see millionaires and billionaires and people in power. They are just as susceptible as anyone else to the seduction of money and power. Jesus says, “Beware.” Don’t believe the lie of riches. Don’t get consumed by an appetite for things. In the end, you and I will do things—terrible things that we never would have imagined ourselves doing—like taking from the poor to line the pockets of the rich. In other words, don’t fool yourself. Any one of us could be seduced and deceived by the race to have more and better stuff and money. The ways people stole from the poor and devoured widow’s houses is all over the Old Testament in the book of Job (22:8f; 24:2f), Isaiah (10), Proverbs (15:25), Deuteronomy (10:18), and Exodus (22:22). Those in power would move property lines which had the effect of taking land away from the poor. The state and the temple would demand taxes from people who clearly had no money. When a person could not pay cash, they would take valuable livestock and land away. Or they would seize crops and even sell them or loved ones away as slaves. In the Reformer Martin Luther’s explanation of the 7th commandment, “You shall not steal,” he asks, “What does this mean?” “We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him improve and protect his possessions and income.”

Widows were the most vulnerable in society. They were often women with young children who had been abandoned and forgotten. Instead of finding the compassion and help they need, they are further exploited. It is an easy thing to do if we do not take the time to hear the stories of people around us. That is why Jesus takes off the second mask. This time, it is a mask of poverty and unworthiness. On the face of things, it is just two small copper coins. But Jesus says, if you look behind the mask you have a person who is generous in spirit and love. She gave more, Jesus says. Because she gave all she had—all she had to live on. What looks worthless is priceless to Jesus.

Beware of the ravenous greed that will consume you and others. Instead, follow the humble and godly spirit of this poor widow. The Temple is priceless to her. Her value is not in copper, silver, or gold. Her value is in the forgiveness of sins the Temple represents. Her sense of worth is in the promise of the Temple of God who says I will dwell among my people. The good news is not the two copper coins that the Temple gained that day. It was the gift of love and faithfulness that God produced in the heart of a worshiper. She is responding to the gift of salvation and the love that God has for her first.

Theologians call this an imputed righteousness. It is value God gives to someone who could never purchase it or produce it themselves. Instead he reckons us rich by his grace and love. He purchases us—not with copper, sliver or gold—but with his precious blood on the Cross of Calvary. We don’t need to play dress up in our long robes and fancy dress. We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We do not need to make a name for ourselves. We bear the name of Jesus—the name above all names. We do not need to barter and jockey for a position at the table. Jesus spreads a table before us and says, “Take, eat. Drink of it, all of you.” Receive my true Body and Blood. It is free. You are welcome no matter your station in life, your background, or tragic story of loss. “You are precious to me,” Jesus says. “So much so I give all that I have and all that I am to you. So you can receive the gift of my love and pass it on.”