What is Pleasing to the Lord?

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

What is Pleasing to the Lord?

Date: Sep. 18, 2017

Passage

Luke 20:45-21:4 (ESV)

45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 21:3

And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.

1. Beware! (20:45-47)

Jesus publicly condemned the self-promoting lifestyles of the teachers of the law. They set a horrible example and Jesus did not want his disciples or the people to imitate them. The teachers of the law dressed in pretentious robes and loved the flattery of others. They sought all the places of honor, but they weren't honorable at all. They took advantage of vulnerable widows and turned prayer into long, dramatic performances. This is not pleasing to God at all. Jesus said that those men would be punished most severely.

2. A far better example (21:1-4)

The poor widow who quietly put two very small copper coins in the offering must have seemed very insignificant to anyone who saw her. Most people probably didn't even notice her, but Jesus did. He saw her and was very pleased. Her offering reflected her love and devotion to God. She gave everything she had, revealing her trust and dependence on Him. On the other hand, the rich gave their gifts out of their wealth. Their money made a big clank when it was dropped in the collection, but it didn't represent the same dependence and love as the widow's offering. In Jesus' eyes, the value of her offering was far above that of the rich. If we follow her example of giving, we can bring joy to Jesus as well.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to live in a way that pleases you.

One Word: Jesus saw the poor widow

Solomon Furnished the Temple

2 Chronicles 4:1-5:1

Key Verse: 4:5:1

Today's Question

How do the sacraments become effective means of salvation?

See answer and references