Mark 12:35–44
Be Still: Lord, quiet my heart. Help me to see you as you truly are and to trust you with my whole life. Amen.
Read: Mark 12:35–44
'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.' (v43)
Encounter: This passage holds two powerful, intertwined scenes. First, Jesus asks a thought-provoking question about the Messiah being both David’s son and his Lord. In doing so, he reveals the Messiah’s dual nature, fully human and yet fully divine. The crowds are delighted, but the religious leaders, motivated by status and power, are quietly exposed.
Then comes a striking contrast: while many wealthy people gave large sums to the temple treasury, a poor widow offers two tiny coins, literally all she had. To onlookers, her gift seems insignificant, yet Jesus highlights that her humble offering surpasses all others because it demonstrates complete trust in God. Her faith and surrender outweigh the ostentatious generosity of those who give from their surplus.
These two moments belong together. The religious leaders sought recognition and power; the widow acted in humility and faith. Jesus calls attention to the heart behind the action, teaching that God’s measure is not quantity but devotion, not visibility but sincerity. Trust, surrender, and love matter far more than appearances or worldly success.
Apply: Where do you seek recognition or cling to security? Perhaps you strive for approval, financial stability, or prestige. The widow’s offering reminds us that God sees the heart, not the outward display. Nothing offered to him in faith is wasted. Today, how can you entrust your resources, time, or deepest anxieties to Jesus? Could you commit an act of generosity or sacrifice that reflects wholehearted trust, knowing that God notices even the smallest step of faith?
Devote: Lord Jesus, you are both David’s son and David’s Lord, the promised King, and my Saviour. Teach me to trust you as the widow did, holding nothing back. May my life, in big or small ways, be an offering of faith, hope and love to you.