We can’t get enough of this story

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today's passage?

Have you ever noticed that in well written stories, heroes who try to change the world often don’t succeed until they stretch, strain and ultimately, maybe in the final moments, give everything they possibly can to their effort? It’s only when we know they could not give any more that we know they are fully invested, all in. They could lose everything, so their effort must be wholehearted. Now we know them fully and trust they are worthy to succeed.

Hollywood is built on these stories, and we can’t seem to get enough of them. I don’t think that’s just because we admire heroes like that, but because we relate and want to be like them. We might not think we can be as strong, fast, bold or witty as some of our heroes, but don’t we want a better world like they do? How can we share our passion wholeheartedly?

In these passages, Jesus tells and shows us. I love the short observation of the widow to start with. She gave the most because she gave all she had. This is how God sees things, not the way we do when we probably overlook how a couple of extra pennies could change our budgets at all, but the wholehearted commitment of someone giving everything is hugely significant in God’s kingdom. It means they haven’t just brought some stuff but their whole selves. Wholehearted reunion between us and God is the whole point of Jesus’ ministry. I love how Jesus contrasts the significance of that against temporary riches and buildings.

What Jesus is building up to is more than talk about giving everything, though. We know where his story is heading. He is going to give all that anyone can give to save the world.

But before then, I’m reminded of how Jesus gave us a reminder of how he gave everything, his body and blood, and I’m struck by how easy he made it for us to keep this reminder in mind. Why the command to “do this” and act it out, though? Why not just remember the idea? I don’t think it was Jesus addressing our dodgy memories, but more recognising that we would want and need to keep consuming the story about wholehearted giving, so that it would be our story too, and so that Jesus could strengthen us to play our part.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God knows what we want and need for a satisfying and significant life. He has given us a way to find it by following and obeying Jesus in wholehearted giving of ourselves. He knows that we won’t always succeed in our efforts, as Jesus tried to tell Peter who could not believe that he would disown Jesus under pressure. But he knows our hearts and how he can restore us, even if we mess up, when we remain in relationship with him.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I’m keen to celebrate communion! I want to recommit myself wholeheartedly to God.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family and people at church, where communion has been a recent discussion topic.