Learn the Lesson of the Fig Tree (Mark 13:28–37)

 

Learn the Lesson of the Fig Tree (Mark 13:28–37)

Everything has a day of reckoning. The family, the school, the company, the government, the church — all of them settle their accounts every year. Life, too, has a day of reckoning. Life is not an accident, nor a picnic — it has a purpose and a destination. We come from God and return to God. And each person will stand before God's judgment seat and give an account according to what they have done (Rom. 2:6). Those who have stayed awake, practiced righteousness, and obeyed the word will be given a reward, but those who have not obeyed will face eternal judgment.

In Mark 13:28–37, Jesus warned his disciples to always be on the alert because no one knows the day — that is, the day when the Lord will return. Being alert means understanding God's word and obeying it accordingly. This refers to a life filled with the Holy Spirit — following the way of the cross that Christ walked. For the suffering and death of Christ is the one and only path that leads to salvation.

When the Branch Puts Out Leaves, Summer Is Near

28 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door." (Mark 13:28–29)

By observing natural phenomena, one can predict what is about to happen. When dark clouds gather, rain is coming. God planned and made the universe and all creation according to his will and purpose. All things in creation reveal the purpose, will, and intent of God. All creation obeys God's law without the slightest deviation. Through this, God teaches people who have fallen into sin and are wandering and lost — using all of creation to lead them to repentance (Rom. 1:19–20).

Jesus taught his disciples about the signs of the end times. Many deceivers will arise, wars and rumors of wars will break out, natural disasters of earthquakes and famines will occur (Mark 13:5–8). People will be handed over to councils and persecution will come (v. 9). The abomination that causes desolation will stand in the holy temple (v. 14). And the heavens will be shaken, the sun and moon will fall, and then people will see the Lord Jesus coming on the clouds with the sound of the archangel's voice and the trumpet call (vv. 24–27).

The apostle John said in the first century that it was already the last hour (1 John 2:18). If that was true then, how much closer must the end be today in the twenty-first century. In fact, every person is living in the end times. At the moment we die, we will stand before the Lord Jesus — the Lord of lords — who comes on the clouds with the voice of the archangel and the sound of the trumpet.

The history of humanity has never been free from wars and rumors of wars, conflict and slaughter. Natural disasters continue as well — earthquakes, famines, floods, heat waves, and wildfires. Jesus said this is the beginning of birth pains. Birth pains, once they begin, cannot be reversed — they must be endured all the way through. Therefore, we can know that the day of the Lord's coming is drawing near.

No One Knows the Day or Hour — Only the Father

30 "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:30–32)

"This generation" refers to the period until God's kingdom comes and rules on this earth. Yet at the moment each person dies, they will see Jesus — who comes as the King of kings — with the voice of the archangel and the sound of the trumpet. Every person is given one life on this earth on equal terms. This period is a time to learn, absorb, and obey the secrets of God's kingdom. It is the period of preparing for the eternal kingdom of heaven in the age to come.

At the end of the age, the heavens will be shaken, and the solar system and all of heaven and earth will melt away like snow. Just as the landscape changes beyond recognition in ten years, so this world is not eternal — it will decay, become defiled, and pass away. This world cannot be our hope. The kingdom of heaven, which is eternally imperishable, unfading, and undefiled, is the true hope. To those who have believed God's promises and lived holding on to the hope of heaven, God gives the kingdom of heaven as their inheritance.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Heb. 11:6)

But God's word will never pass away — it is eternal. Not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means pass away from God's word before everything is accomplished (Matt. 5:18). Nothing on this earth can pass through death. But God's word is the power and authority that is alive and passes through death. When God speaks, the dead come back to life, the blind receive their sight, and leprosy comes and goes.

When God spoke, there was light; the waters above were separated from the waters below; the sea drew back and dry land appeared, becoming the earth. When God spoke, Aaron's staff budded, blossomed, and produced almonds (Num. 16:6). When God spoke, the Red Sea parted, water gushed from the rock, and manna fell from heaven.

The Word became flesh and came to this earth and displayed the glory and power of God (John 1:14). That glory and power was seen in the death of the Son of God in place of this world's sin. Through the shedding of his blood in sacrifice and his death, he broke the power of sin and death over this world. God raised his Son from the dead by his word and made him Lord of all. Jesus, who is the Word, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God's throne, reigning until his enemies bow their knees under his feet.

Yet no one knows when the end of the earth will come — that is, the day when Jesus will return. Only the heavenly Father knows, and even Jesus, who came as the Son of Man, did not know it (Matt. 24:36). Our lives are entirely in God's hands. Whether we live or die seems to be something people determine, but it is not so. It is entirely in the hands of God, who created heaven and earth and loved us to the point of sacrificing his Son.

The generation before the flood lived nearly a thousand years (Gen. 5). Yet Moses said that the years of our life are seventy, or eighty if we are strong (Ps. 90:10). God allowed the Amorites to remain in the land for four hundred years before judging them because their sin had not yet reached its full measure (Gen. 15:16). God delayed judgment on the city of Nineveh for a hundred and fifty years because they heard the prophet Jonah and repented (Jonah 3:10; Nah. 1:1; 3:13).

God desires that no one perish but that everyone come to salvation (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:3–4). So in his patience God leads and guides people throughout their lives, giving them the opportunity to repent, turn back, and come to salvation. Every person has been given an equal opportunity to turn back to God, and God has planted in all creation the knowledge by which his power and glory can be known.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)

Be on Guard! Be Alert!

33 "Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" (Mark 13:33–37)

Therefore, Jesus commanded us to keep watch. "Keep watch" appears three times in repetition. Not one of God's promises will fall to the ground — every single one will be fulfilled. Jesus is the Lord of all things who, as depicted in the parable of the tenants, made a vineyard capable of bearing good fruit, entrusted it to his servants, and went away to a far country. The meaning of what was entrusted is that good fruit should be borne and returned to God. Life on this earth belongs to no one. Since everything belongs to God, it must all be returned to him one day. This means that a day of reckoning for everything — good and evil alike — is coming.

The reason we must keep watch is that no one knows when the Lord will come. It could be tonight or it could be tomorrow at dawn. Because Jesus will come suddenly, we must always be prepared. We must not let him find us sleeping when he arrives. This does not refer to physical sleep at bedtime, but to not being alert. Jesus comes like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2; Rev. 3:3; 2 Pet. 3:10). Jesus will come suddenly at an hour no one expects (Matt. 24:44). No one knows when they will die.

Being alert means faithfully and wisely distributing the food — that is, God's word — at the proper time (Matt. 24:45). So being alert is faithfully doing the work entrusted to us when the master comes. What God has entrusted to us until the day of reckoning includes everything in this life — life itself and time included. Life is by no means something that comes and goes by chance — it has an origin and a purpose. And that purpose is to live for the glory of God whether we eat or drink (1 Cor. 10:31).

This is why there is reason to diligently study God's word. We examine all sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments without missing any of them, and day by day we strengthen our grasp of the secrets of God's kingdom and the hope hidden within the word. Living the life of a pilgrim and a sojourner, we hold firmly not to things of the earth but to the eternal and glorious hope of heaven. And by faith we humbly make that heavenly hope known to our neighbors.

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Pet. 3:15)

Being alert also means, above all else, diligently loving our neighbor as ourselves. This is because this is the new commandment given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Love is not merely something expressed in words. Nor is it something done only in the mind. It means willingly bearing the shame and pain of the very cross that our Lord Jesus Christ carried. It is a heart that esteems others more highly and willingly yields. It joyfully bears the pain of self-dying. This is the example our Lord Jesus Christ showed on the cross.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.'" (Matt. 16:24–27)

Being alert also means, like the five wise virgins, having the lamp and the oil ready and being prepared to meet the bridegroom (Matt. 25:1–13). The lamp represents God's word, and the oil represents being filled with the Holy Spirit. But the five foolish virgins had the lamp yet had not prepared the oil, and so when the bridegroom came suddenly in the middle of the night, they were unable to participate. They had God's word but had not obeyed it (Mark 12:34).

What is being filled with the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who bears witness that Christ died on the cross as the Son of God (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit also confirms that the way of the cross of Christ is the path that leads to life. Therefore, being filled with the Holy Spirit is believing and obeying that Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, is the Son of God — and following the way of Christ's cross in actual daily life.

Amen!

September 13, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

They Will See the Son of Man Coming (Mark 13:1–27)

 

They Will See the Son of Man Coming (Mark 13:1–27)

Where is this world heading? It is heading toward the end times — toward the last day. This is also the path that each person's life walks. From the moment a person is born, they move toward death. Why must there be an end? The end is like the pain of childbirth. It is the process of bringing forth new life. And because it is the day on which good and evil are distinguished as clearly as bright daylight, God's judgment must certainly come.

In Mark 13:1–27, Jesus taught his disciples about the signs that would occur at the end of the age. In the end times, false prophets will arise and deceive, wars and famines will break out frequently, and nation will clash against nation, language against language. These signs are the beginning of the end — the beginning of birth pains. After the gospel of God's salvation has been proclaimed to all nations, then the end will come. The purpose is not judgment but to lead people to salvation.

Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple (Matt. 24:1–2; Luke 21:5–6)

1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (Mark 13:1–2)

The Jerusalem temple of that time was a massive construction project by Herod that had taken a staggering eighty years. The disciples were astonished at the grandeur and majesty of the temple and the stones used in it, much like tourists would be. They had seen the temple before, so why were they so astonished and moved at this particular moment? This can probably be connected to the fact that their expectation that Jesus would soon establish an earthly messianic kingdom had reached its peak.

Yet Jesus said that not one stone of this temple would be left on another — every one would be thrown down. And in fact, the final section of Herod's temple was completed between AD 62 and 64, and just a few years later, in AD 70, it was completely destroyed by the Roman general Titus. Contrary to the disciples' expectations, God's just judgment was drawing near for Israel. God is a God of love and at the same time a God of judgment. Yet God gives advance warning that judgment is coming — as he did in the days of Noah's flood.

Signs of the End of the Age (Matt. 24:3–14; Luke 21:7–19)

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" (Mark 13:3–4)

The disciples took the destruction of the temple as a cosmic end-of-the-age event. After the destruction of Solomon's temple, Israel had been in Babylonian captivity for seventy years. So Jesus' words could not but come as a great shock. They asked when these things would happen and what the sign would be. In response, Jesus explained both the imminent destruction of the temple and the end of the age that was yet to come. However, Jesus answered concerning the signs of the end times but did not speak about the exact time (Matt. 24:36).

Watch Out That No One Deceives You — This Is the Beginning of Birth Pains

5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." (Mark 13:5–8)

Above all else, a prominent sign of the end times is that deception will be widespread. That is why Jesus commanded us to watch out so that no one deceives us. In the end times, many will come in the name of Christ and deceive many people. There have been countless examples of false Christs appearing and leading many people astray down the path of destruction. The spirit of deception has been present from the very beginning. The cunning and crafty Satan the devil deceived the woman and brought her down, and Adam then fell as well.

The reason many come in the name of Christ is fundamentally that people are desperately longing for a messiah to come. But the problem is that because people crave the wrong kind of messiah, they fall prey to deception. Some people crave success, some crave wealth, others crave power, and many crave recognition and praise. No human being can fundamentally save, help, or change another. Yet many come in the name of Christ and, like wolves in sheep's clothing, deceive people by appearing to satisfy their deep longings and bring them down.

There will also be wars and rumors of wars and violent conflicts between nations and kingdoms, along with natural disasters of earthquakes and famines. The earth on which we live has wars everywhere, with murder and violence being carried out in every place, and heat waves, earthquakes, and famines recurring every year. Yet Jesus said this is not yet the end, but rather the beginning of birth pains (ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων).

Right now we are at the beginning of birth pains, where wars, famines, and earthquakes are falling on us in part. The characteristic of birth pains is that once they begin, there is no going back — the process of pain must be endured all the way through. In the end times, disasters, wars, earthquakes, and famines will occur on a cosmic and sweeping scale, and no one will be able to stop them. But when the pain of labor is over, a breathtaking moment of new life being brought forth is at hand. Therefore, the end must certainly come, and after it the glorious and powerful kingdom of heaven arrives.

Because this generation is sexually immoral and corrupt, it cannot escape the just judgment of God. God's judgment is to illuminate everything as clearly as bright daylight, exposing all evil and darkness before all of creation. Those who hold the power of darkness will no longer be able to hide in the darkness but will be exposed for what they truly are and will face the wrath of God's judgment (Isa. 14:15–17).

But it is also the day on which the righteous who have believed in God, trusted in him, and obeyed him to the point of death will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). God will vindicate every injustice and repay each person according to what they have done. That is why the end must certainly come upon us like the pain of childbirth. God extends the grace of salvation to those who stand firm to the end (Mark 13:9; Matt. 24:13).

The Gospel Must First Be Preached to All Nations

9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what you will say. Just say whatever is given you to say at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Mark 13:9–13)

Persecution will also come. The disciples will be examined before councils, flogged in synagogues, and brought before kings — and the disciples faced exactly this kind of persecution after Jesus had ascended to heaven. Paul stood before the proconsul in Cyprus, and when he was arrested and imprisoned in Jerusalem, he proclaimed the gospel before the Roman governors Felix and Festus and King Agrippa (Acts 13:7; Acts 24–25). This was to serve as a testimony of the gospel of Christ to them.

Jesus said that before the end comes, the gospel must first be preached to all nations. It has been nearly two thousand years since the gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed on this earth, counted from his death, resurrection, and ascension. During that time, the gospel has been proclaimed to places we cannot even imagine — in communist countries, Muslim nations, and even the depths of the Amazon jungle. The gospel of Christ's salvation has spread to every corner. This means that the day of God — the day when Christ will return — is drawing that much closer.

"Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.'" (Rev. 14:6–7)

How is the gospel proclaimed to all nations? Of course, the gospel is testified through Bible teachers and missionaries. But fundamentally, the proclamation of the gospel is something God does himself. In the midst of persecution, God's Holy Spirit personally teaches us what we should say. God called Moses and sent him to the stubborn Pharaoh to command him to let his people go out of Egypt. And to Moses, who was afraid, he said: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exod. 4:10–12).

There will also be hatred from family members and from all people. Jesus warned his disciples in advance that they would be hated by the world on his account (John 15:18). This is because we do not belong to this world but belong to God the Father. Therefore, we must endure with patience, just as our Lord Jesus Christ endured the cross (Heb. 12:2).

The Greatest Distress (Matt. 24:15–28; Luke 21:20–24)

14 "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong — let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now — and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." (Mark 13:14–23)

The abomination that causes desolation will stand in the temple — the place where it does not belong. This prophecy of Daniel had already been fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes IV (Dan. 11:31). He halted the sacrificial offerings in the Jerusalem temple and placed a pig's head in the temple in their stead in 167 BC. He removed the altar from the temple and set up an altar for the worship of Zeus in its place. Jesus said that this would happen again in the end times. There is currently no temple in Jerusalem, but this implies that one will be rebuilt in the end times (Dan. 7:25).

When this abomination is seen to have taken place, Jesus said to flee to the mountains. This is because God's wrathful judgment is that close at hand. He also said to pray that this will not happen in winter, and that he will cut short those days. This great tribulation will be unlike anything that has come before it and unlike anything that will come after it. At that time, false prophets will gain power and deceive people by saying that Christ is here or there. This world is truly overflowing with knowledge. And to that same degree, false Christs are seizing every opportunity to deceive people from every direction.

They Will See the Son of Man Coming (Matt. 24:29–31; Luke 21:25–28)

24 "But in those days, following that distress, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' 26 At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." (Mark 13:24–27)

After the seven-year great tribulation has passed, a great cosmic upheaval will occur in which the powers of the heavens are shaken (Heb. 12:26–27; Matt. 24:29). After this, people will see with their own eyes the Son of God, Jesus Christ, coming from heaven on the clouds with great power and glory (1 Thess. 4:16–17; Rev. 1:7). When Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels said to the disciples who were gazing intently up into the sky that Jesus would come back in the same way they had seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).

Jesus, coming as the Judge of all things, will send his angels to gather his chosen ones from the four winds. And as he promised, he will place the crown of life on their heads. They will inherit the kingdom of heaven in all its glory, honor, power, and authority. But those who do not believe will be gathered together and judged with eternal fire and sulfur.

Amen!

September 6, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The Widow's Two Small Coins (Mark 12:35–44)

 

The Widow's Two Small Coins (Mark 12:35–44)

How does one become abundant? By loving God and loving one's neighbor. God first loved us (John 3:16). That love is a sacrificial love that did not spare his own Son Jesus Christ but gave him up (Rom. 5:8). Love is giving. God pours out on us the grace of forgiveness of sins without measure (Rom. 5:16). Loving and forgiving gives birth to life and brings it to flourishing.

In Mark 12:35–44, Jesus rebuked the scribes for their ignorance and misunderstanding about the Messiah as a descendant of David, and for their hypocrisy in seeking the recognition and praise of people. He taught that the two small coins the widow gave were more than all the large amounts the rich had given. God rescued us from sin and death by giving up the life of his own Son. Therefore, it is only right to love God with all one's life, heart, mind, and will.

Christ and the Son of David (Matt. 22:41–46; Luke 20:41–44)

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."' 37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight. (Mark 12:35–37)

The Jewish religious leaders were confident they knew everything about God and his Messiah. Yet they failed to recognize Jesus of Nazareth, who had come as the Son of God. They regarded Jesus merely as a lawbreaker who was violating the law of Moses. So they tried to bring him down in various ways by testing him, but they could not. This was because Jesus had truly come to this earth as God's Christ.

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes were rabbis who were thoroughly versed in the law of Moses. But because of their misunderstanding and ignorance about the Messiah, they failed and stumbled when it came to recognizing the Christ whom God had sent (Mark 12:24). They said that the Christ was the son of David. This was correct, but they misunderstood what it implied. They imagined a Christ who was militarily strong and powerful, like King David.

However, the Messiah God testified to through the law and the prophets is portrayed as a suffering servant (Isa. 42, 49, 50, 52–53). God's Messiah came to save this world that was groaning under the power of sin and death. God's Christ pays the wages of sin by giving up his own life and sets free the sinners who are held captive under sin.

They also failed to understand what David had said. David called the coming Messiah "Lord," and God had said to his Lord — that is, the Christ — to sit at his right hand until he put his enemies under his feet. As David confessed, Jesus is by nature the Son of God and the Creator God who made all things by his word. Yet he humbled himself, took on human form, was incarnate, was crucified on the cross, and was buried in a tomb — all to save this world from sin. But God raised the Lord on the third day, and he ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of God's throne and reigns until his enemies bow down and submit under his feet (1 Cor. 15:25).

Though their ancestors had written down clearly what the coming Christ would be like, they failed to understand it and fashioned a Messiah of their own making. The fact that the Jews — who had God's word and abundant evidence before them — failed to recognize the Messiah shows that even among believers today, there can be those who expect a distorted messiah. We must endure the suffering and pain of daily life. In those moments, while it is possible to look to the suffering Christ and have the roots of faith grow firm, there are also many who fall into grumbling and complaining and end up serving as slaves to sin.

Beware of the Teachers of the Law (Matt. 23:1–36; Luke 20:45–47)

38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely." (Mark 12:38–40)

Jesus said to beware of the scribes. As rabbis, they did not seek their authority by teaching God's word and obeying it, but by showing off their outward appearance and receiving greetings, hospitality, and honor. Instead of caring for widows — whom they ought to have shown compassion to — they made lengthy prayers to put themselves on display before people. Because the scribes had been set apart to teach the holy and true word of God to the people, they would receive a more severe judgment (James 3:1).

The scribes did not charge fees for teaching the law. But they were permitted to receive donations. The problem was that they used their religious standing to fundraise in a virtually coercive manner. Their entrusted stewardship was to teach and illuminate God's word. But they used that position and authority to create a logic that compelled donations, even pressuring poor widows and plundering their houses.

Our reward is not earthly things such as material possessions. The spiritual things that belong to heaven are the reward of those who believe. The Lord Jesus told his disciples that if they received recognition and praise on this earth, there would be no reward for them in heaven (Matt. 6:1). Whatever God's grace received through faith may be, it is not for oneself but to be given for building up the church (Eph. 4:12).

The perfect example of this is our Lord Jesus Christ himself. He did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage but humbled himself, took on the form of a servant, and was incarnate in human likeness on this earth. No one recognized him as the Christ who had come as the Son of God. The Lord Christ, who is worthy of all glory, honor, and worship, instead endured all kinds of false accusation, insult, spitting, and beating, and finally died on the cross.

Jesus Christ was mocked, rejected, and abandoned by this world, and above all was completely forsaken by his beloved heavenly Father (Matt. 27:46; Ps. 22:1). Yet even though Jesus died as one counted among criminals in this world, God raised the Son who was obedient to the point of death from among the dead. And God seated the Son on the highest throne in heaven and gave him authority to reign until his enemies bow down and submit under his feet.

God chose David — the youngest of seven brothers, a mere shepherd — and anointed him. Yet before he became king, King Saul sought to kill him, and David spent at least ten years or more continually fleeing for his life. Yet even when the perfect opportunity came to kill Saul, David feared God and could not lay a hand on the king whom God had anointed. God exalted David and made him king over a united Israel.

Yet God opposes the proud (James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). To exalt oneself is what Satan the devil does (Isa. 14:13). God has pronounced a curse on the devil. Therefore, Satan can never win and has no choice but to forever carry the yoke of defeat, and his days are numbered (Gen. 3:14).

The Widow's Offering (Luke 21:1–4)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on." (Mark 12:41–44)

The offering receptacle mentioned in the passage was located in the Court of Women within the temple precincts. From the Court of Israel further inward, only men were permitted to enter, which is why the offering receptacle was placed there. The origin of the offering receptacle goes back to the ninth century BC, during the reign of King Joash, when it was created to collect funds to repair and restore the deteriorating and damaged temple of Solomon (2 Kings 12). In Jesus' time, both the obligatory temple tax and voluntary offerings — such as the widow's two small coins — were placed in this receptacle. The money placed in it was used for the maintenance of the temple, the costs of public worship, and charitable relief.

The people also brought sacrificial offerings according to the law of Moses when they came to the temple. This was to support the tribe of Levi, who had been called to serve as priests. Because the tribe of Levi had not received an allotment of land but were scattered among the various tribes to carry out the duties of the priesthood (Deut. 10:9; Josh. 21:41–42), the income of the priests came from the offerings brought to the temple. Even in Jesus' day, people continued to bring sacrificial offerings.

First, God looks at the motive of the heart rather than the amount of the offering. In those days, when the wealthy brought their offerings to the treasury, they did not give quietly and unobtrusively — they sounded trumpets to draw attention and show off (Matt. 6:2). But the widow gave quietly so that no one would notice. Perhaps it was because the amount was so small that there was nothing to show off.

Yet Jesus said that the widow who gave two small coins had put in more than all those who had given large amounts. In terms of the actual amount, the widow's offering was practically nothing. But God looks not at the size of the offering but at the motive of the heart. God does not accept offerings given out of a sense of duty and reluctance, or given to impress others. God is pleased with what is given from the heart with gratitude and joy.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:6–7)

God also looks at the cost the giver must bear. The widow gave everything she had to live on. An offering is ultimately given to God, who bestows grace and mercy. God has made the finest vineyard and prepared every condition for it to bear good fruit. All of this comes from grace and love. Jesus shed his blood to atone for sin and cleanse it. Now, when we respond to that love and bring the fruit of repentance back to God, he gladly receives it.

And God does not need our offerings. Therefore, offering gifts to God is ultimately for our own sake. Jesus taught his disciples to pray in this way, and among the things he said was to ask God to give us each day our daily bread (Matt. 6:11). Yet God already knows everything we need before we ask. Therefore, asking God to give us our daily bread is for our sake — it is a reminder to us that God is the source of the daily provision we need.

Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is because God first loved us. This love did not come from the earth — it is spiritual and belongs to heaven. This is the very love with which the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave up his own life.

When we follow the example of Christ and love and forgive our neighbors with God's love, God opens the windows of heaven and pours out grace upon grace beyond measure. For us to fully submit to God and give up our lives is ultimately the path that leads into a greater measure of God's grace.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Mal. 3:10)

Amen!

August 30, 2026

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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.