44 Days Through the New Testament – Day 7

Mark 9-11

If I could choose any moment in time to be an eye-witness of, I think the Transfiguration of Jesus would at least be in the top 5. (I would love to see the creation of the world, so that’s a big one. Sitting in on the resurrection of Christ would be another top contender…)

During the transfiguration, Peter and James and John witnessed Jesus’ clothes become radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. As if that site alone was not enough, Moses and Elijah show up and begin to talk with Jesus! And if all of that was not enough…

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7, ESV)

What an amazing moment that must have been!

Mark 12-14

I am always challenged by the widow’s offering in Mark 12.

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 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 12:41–44, ESV)

Tonight we had a ministry banquet for Jeff Polen Music (which is partly why I am posting this so late). During the banquet we celebrated God’s faithfulness and talked about the amazing things He has been doing through the ministry. He is good! we also talked about the fact that, as a ministry, we have vision that exceeds our current finances. We invited those in attendance to join us as ministry partners, if they were interested. 

After the banquet, a young man (probably 10 years old) walked up to Jodi and said that he wanted to give $20 to the ministry! Wow!! His mother was right there and approved of the donation, so we accepted it. After the young man gave his generous gift, his younger sister walked up to Jodi and said that she wanted to give $1. When Jodi told me that story, we were both blown away!

These biblical principles and truths that we are encountering as we read through the New Testament are not just for the people who lived long ago. They are still true for us today. I am challenged by the generosity of the widow from Mark 12. I am challenged by the generosity of this young man and his younger sister. I want to be as generous with my resources as they have been with theirs.