Pennies over Dollars

The world will answer this question first by not what Scripture says but how you and I live each day. Books like You Lost Me, UnChristian, Why Nobody Wants to Go To Church Anymore are important for us to read. They give us “insight” into how our world sees us, from people who love us and are on our team.

What does following Jesus look like?

This is a primary question for anyone, whether one “know” Jesus or not. Our scene this morning is part of the answer Jesus was giving to his disciples and to us. Maybe a secondary question: how does following Jesus differ from the world around us?

Jesus notices everything.

Take a quick moment and notice what your reaction to that statement is? This will give you an insight into how you view Jesus, yourself, and what is presently happening in life. Jesus sees what our world and others may easily miss.

Jesus is active in our world.

This is one of the greatest truths of Scripture and something we must reclaim as being truth. Our world is looking for a faith which matter. Jesus is not dead but alive, so let us all share the living Jesus.

The widow gives about one penny.

An unassuming amount when one thinks about it. In fact, my guess is most of those who were around her that day either didn’t notice her gift or gave a disapproving look.

Jesus uses everyday moments to teach.

He won’t just wait until the next “bible study” and formal time to lead and guide us. If we are open to His leading, we will know this to be true. In fact, most of Jesus’ teachings/parables/sayings took place in the normal day to day life. Growing is Jesus, what we call discipleship, cannot just happen in a Sunday School class, Bible Study, Small group, but must happen as we share life together every week.

The widow gave sacrificially.

She held nothing back to God. She didn’t have to give both of her coins but did as a sign of trusting Jesus. This is the example Jesus wants his disciples to learn.

With Jesus it is not the amount but the motive!

2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Be careful looking at others.

Looks can be deceiving. We do not have all the information. The easy thing is to make our judgments quickly when wisdom, the way of Jesus, says to slow down. Jesus says to look deeper.

Jesus looks at our heart.

This is one of the greatest encouragements of Scripture for me. I don’t always get the actions right. I don’t always look the way “i am supposed to”. With Jesus, the outward actions are not the most important, though they are important. Jesus sees my heart, motives and intentions. The “why” of what I am doing is just as important as my actions.

Key: Do all things in love!

Mark 12:29–31 NIV

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

What Does Following Jesus Look Like?

It is giving sacrificially because Christ gave/gives sacrificially.

Not looking at only the physical appearance.

Loving Christ with everything, everyday.

Living in community with others.

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