that's all

The Word for today:
Mark 12:28-44

Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:29-30)

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her poverty did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:44)

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Yesterday, Jesus encouraged us to spend our lives. Naturally, the question arises: How much of our lives should we spend?

Today he answers that question with a story concerning a poor widow. The widow is an inspiration, for she in her own way is a picture of God.

She gave absolutely everything she had. God did no less, giving Jesus, who is all in all (1) as a ransom for sinners like you and me.

If you want to emulate Jesus Christ, throw away the calculator and decide, once and for all, that you are not going to deal in percentages and half measures any more. You will hardly believe how free you will feel on the day you decide to give it everything you’ve got.

My favorite word in the Great Commandment goes almost unnoticed, even though it appears five different times. Let’s see if you can find it:

Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."  (Mark 12:29-30)

Let’s see if you can find the same word in Jesus’ praise for the widow:
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her poverty did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:44)

We may not have a lot to give, but we can give our all.  No one has more than that.

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(1) Ephesians 1:23