Keeping Our Spiritual Compass
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Rethinking the "widow's mite" in light of Jesus' condemnation of lifeless, tradition-laden, "religiosity".
Text: Luke 20:45-21:4
Date: 04/13/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 189
Occasion: Palm Sunday
Description:
As we observe the tradition of Palm Sunday and the so-called Triumphal Entry, our attention will turn to Luke's underlying theme in this section of his Gospel-- which is far from celebratory. In episode after episode, Jesus has been exposing and condemning the lifeless, tradition-laden and formalized "religiosity" of the Jews through a plethora of confrontations. In this passage, He exposes the behavioral characteristics of the scribes and their love of self-exalting and very pretentious piety. He then comments on the offering of a poor widow who puts her last two pennies into the Temple treasury. We will carefully analyze what is traditionally called "the widow's mite" and ask ourselves whether it is an example of virtuous giving or the undesirable impact that false teachers like the scribes have on unsuspecting and misguided worshipers. In the end, we will emphasize the need to lock our focus on Jesus, the Scriptures and the Gospel, thereby keeping our spiritual compass and avoiding the pitfalls of "religiosity".
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 20:45-21:4.
A. Context
B. Condemnation of pretentious religion, vs. 20:45-47.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 20:45.
a. A very public condemnation.
b. Directed at His disciples, Luke 12:1.
2. Reasons to beware, vs. 20:46-47.
a. Identifying the scribes, vs. 46a, Matt. 23:15; Ezra 7:6; Mark 7:6-8.
b. Self-exalting behavior, vs. 46b.
i. Ostentatious robes, Deut. 22:12; Num. 15:39.
ii. Recognition in the marketplace.
iii. The best seats in the synagogues.
iv. Places of honor at feasts, Luke 14:7,11.
c. Devouring widows resources, vs. 47a, Ex. 22:22-24; James 1:27.
d. Pretentious prayers, vs. 47b.
i. Praying to be seen not heard, Matt. 6:5.
ii. Praying to conceal, Mark 7:9-13.
e. The condemnation, vs. 47c, James 3:1.
C. The "widow's mite", vs. 21:1-4.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 21:1-2.
a. Determining the location, vs. 1a, John 8:20.
b. The gifts of the wealthy, vs. 1b.
c. The gift of the widow, vs. 2.
2. The Kingdom value of the widow's mite, vs. 21:3-4.
a. The statement of value, vs. 3.
b. The explanation of value, vs. 4.
i. The gift of abundance.
ii. The gift of poverty, Luke 9:23, 14:28,33.
3. An alternate interpretation.
a. The theme of Jesus' condemnation of false religion.
b. The widow's misguided offering.
i. Pondering voluntary destitution.
ii. A further condemnation of the scribes, Luke 18:23.
III. Application, Jude 12-13.
IV. Conclusion
