“And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”” Mark 13:1-2 (ESV)
When we look at great structures it is very natural for us to marvel at them. A few days back I visited a few places in Delhi and was amazed at the sight of the huge ancient and modern constructions like the Qutub Minar, India Gate, Red Fort, JLN Stadium.
But here in Mark, Jesus drives a very beautiful and a needed truth about “greatness”.
What or whom do people appreciate?
Things that are magnificent and large; people who are popular; folks from whose hands money flow; individuals who are influential.
But God’s outlook is very different. To expound on this truth we will read a few previous verses.
“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.” Mark 12:41 (ESV)
Jesus was seated opposite to the treasury and watched the people putting their money. In our churches and organizations who will be considered important? Yes! Those who give BIG DONATIONS. People with big money, high influence, good qualification, great background. They are the ones who are considered great. But the outlook of Jesus is very different.
“And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”” Mark 12:42-44 (ESV)
For God it is not the measure of wealth or position that matters, but the “heart” – the intent.
For those rich people to give large sums was easy, because they gave only a little part from their abundance. But for the poor widow to give the little money was difficult, because she gave the entire part.
As Jesus watched the crowd putting money into the treasury, He watches us even today. How much ever significant and great I may appear or my contribution may be, but if my inside and the intent is not right, it is not at all worth!
Greatness lies in being faithful in the little things that God has given us. In giving everything back to God – for His glory. Am I giving everything to God and for His kingdom’s purpose? All that I think, do, engage in – does it all glorify God?
“And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”” Mark 12:38-40 (ESV)
Here I would like to show four characteristics of such people who think of themselves as “great” people and for that I use four G’s -
1. They like to GO around showing people that they are spiritual, even through the dresses they wear – They think that saying “Praise the Lord” and talking “spiritual jargon” is what makes ones spiritual. They also think that there are certain model and colours of dresses that are spiritual and others are unspiritual.
2. They like to be GREETED with respect – And they will be offended if someone does not greet them, say “Good morning Sir” or “Praise the Lord”!
3. They like to GET the best places of honour everywhere – They cannot move or associate themselves with the ordinary people.
4. They GATHER profit from everyone, especially from the weak and intimidate-able – They will take advantage of the weak and the little.
And the Bible says that they will receive the GREATER condemnation.
Only God is great.
“So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)
We are not to think high of ourselves.
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)
We need to be Humble.
“A person’s pride will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.” (Proverbs 29:23)
“But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”” (James 4:6)
Never despise the weak and the little.
“He lifts the weak from the dust; he raises the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes and to bestow on them an honoured position.” (1 Samuel 2:8)
“But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)
The first set of people are those who immediately obey the leader and go and do the task. We see implicit obedience here. But they require complete orientation. If Jesus wouldn’t have oriented them on what to reply to the questioners, the disciples would have come back and waited for Jesus to further instruct them.
The second set of people are those who do things voluntarily. Here Jesus told them to only bring the colt. But we see that the disciples threw the cloaks also on the colt, without being asked by Jesus. Whether we do only what is told of us or do we see the need and try to fulfil it?
The third set of people not only volunteer but will go extra mile to complete the task. For these “others” had to go to the fields and cut and bring the leafy branches. This group of people would put more personal effort into the task so as to perfect it. They do not work based on “working hours” and “basic pay”.
The fourth set of people after doing all the work glorify God alone. They work neither for “appreciation” nor for “perks”. We usually come to the third level and right at there we would say or at least think “I have done so much – more than what is expected of me and I deserve appreciation, recognition and compensation”. But we need to realize that the “ability” is supplied by Him and it is He who is to be glorified.