May 9, 2022 -- Mark 12:41-44 -- The LORD keeps vigil

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And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44 ESV

There is a good reason to read Scripture over and over again. Each time you’ll hear or notice something new. This morning in my devotion time this brief passage was part of my readings. I have often heard it. The focus, usually, in sermons I’ve heard or in my own reading has been on the widow herself, or the money she gave. Today, something else impacted me.

A little background first. I suppose it is because I was reading and preaching Exodus 12 recently, the exodus of Israel out of Egypt. It was the LORD Who kept vigil over His people (Ex. 12:42). That echoes through-out Scripture. The LORD is your keeper (He watches over you) by day and by night (Psalm 121:5-6). And there are many other places where one reads it is the LORD Who is watching His people. So, with this Scriptural echo reverberating through my mind, I was transfixed this time as I read what used to be fairly ordinary words: “Jesus sat down opposite the people putting money into the offering box” (verse 41). He knew she’d be there. He knew her poverty. He knew her state and need. He kept vigil, He was watching. This is God Incarnate, Jesus demonstrating what is ever-true in the heavenly places:

“The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
   the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over sojourners;
   He upholds the widow and the fatherless,
   but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.”
Psalm 146:8b-9 ESV

There Jesus is, seated in the temple, doing what His Father in heaven always does, He watches over those in need. Be warned, those who are wicked, the LORD sees. Be comforted and reassured, those who are weighed down by troubles, and cry out to the LORD, the LORD sees and is keeping vigil in love.

Read these verses, slowly, out-loud, as a recitation of praise to the LORD and be assured of His gracious promises to you.

To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:25-31

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