Read the Word:
Mark 12:38-40
Meditate on the Word:
Jesus was often one to call out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day. The scribes, the experts in the Law, often did not meet the intent of the law by using their positions to oppress widows and orphans. This clearly flies in the face of the intent of the law. God even commands in Deuteronomy 24:17, “Do not deny justice to a resident alien or fatherless child, and do not take a widow’s garment as security.” A few verses later, He commands that the leftover fruit of the olive tree and the grapevine is for the resident alien, fatherless, and widow. God clearly cares for these people.
God’s Son would not have the Law used in a way to harm those who were poor. We’ve seen it before that all of His commands involve loving God first and loving your neighbor as yourself. Even a scribe had figured it out (Mark 12:32-34). But there were many who funded their lavish lifestyles on the backs of the poor and widowed. Jesus points out that “These will receive harsher judgment.” Most of us, I’m sure, are not living lavishly by robbing widows of their houses. But are we failing to care for the most vulnerable in other ways? Do we ensure that others within the body of Christ are adequately cared for?
Pray the Word:
Ask the Lord how you can care for the most vulnerable today. Then commit to Him to do what He commands.
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