Jesus watched the crowd…called His disciples and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others” (Mark 12:41,43).

Pastors Alex and Jaime, along with the Connect Devotionals and small group discussions, have been focusing on our rising above dire circumstances, soaring that others can see and we ourselves feel. 

But is it possible to soar and not know it? And who would be the judge of that soaring? Would it be Jesus, who not only notices the widow and her meager offering but also remarks on her extravagance to His disciples? What soaring does Jesus see that no one else does? And how can we have it, too?

I’m doubtful the widow feels she is soaring. She is all alone, desperately poor, even destitute now that she has sacrificially given all she has to God. But Jesus elevates her above those who are giving “out of their wealth,” costing them nothing but still garnering the praise of men. No doubt they soar in their self-righteousness; they soar in the eyes of those they want to impress. But in Jesus’ eyes? It’s the widow who soars by quietly worshiping God despite a Temple system that has all but erased her, whose very teachers “devour widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40).

Have you worked under a system you felt was unfair or oppressive? My first teaching job after graduate school was in a nationally-ranked, highly-selective private boys’ school. Underlying that impressive reputation, though, was a System that paid women less (a not-so-well-kept secret which I nevertheless was supposed to ignore) and where prized athletes were academically coddled (a secret I was not aware of until one failed my class, and I - yes, I - had to teach him in summer school, an exception made against clearly-stated school policy). 

I wish I had exhibited the widow’s steady devotion that caught Jesus’ eye. Unlike her, though, I became cynical, especially when I confided my shock and disappointment to another teacher who betrayed that confidence. I still taught my classes well, but I did not “put in everything [I] had” (12:44), as the widow did. My bitterness grounded me, prevented me from soaring. I could have reacted so much better.

Systems - educational, workplace, religious - can oppress, but we don’t have to act like victims, even if we are. As Jesus “watches your crowd” (12:41) - your friends at school, your coworkers, your extended family members - does He see you faithfully doing your “job” despite burdensome conditions? Does he see in you a heart that refuses to become embittered? Is He telling those around Him, “see how she soars, even though she doesn’t feel it?”