Read Mark 12:41-44.

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny…. (Jesus said) “She out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:42, 44b)

Two little coins, which together make a penny. Not much of an offering, is it? Humanly speaking it’s just foolish: somebody is now going to have to give charity to support this woman, and the cost will certainly be more than a penny. Balance the offering against that support and you have a net loss. Why should she give anything at all?

It’s not enough. But it’s all she has.

And Jesus honors that. He praises her: “She out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” She is now totally dependent on God to provide for everything she needs, both in body and soul.

And provide He does—because though she doesn’t know it, God Himself is close to her, God in the flesh. And He has come to Jerusalem for the same reason she has—to make an offering of everything He has, to give Himself up for the salvation of the world. Within days Jesus will be hanging on a cross, bearing the guilt for every evil thing we have ever done. He will lay down His life there, holding nothing back, giving all He has—making Himself a sin offering for us. Because of Him we will be forgiven and cleansed, restored to God and life. And then Jesus will rise again.

Jesus also offers everything He has. And it’s enough—enough for the poor widow, wherever she came from, and wherever she went. It’s enough for us, too, however needy and broken we may be. Jesus will not desert us. We belong to Him. His self-offering is enough.

THE PRAYER: Lord, we trust in You both now and for eternity. Keep us and help us when we are in need, and hold us close to You. Amen.