Notes- Mark 12:41-44- If Jesus is giving more than a participation award for the widow, we need to look more closely at this story.- Why was she celebrated by Jesus? Because she's an embodiment of the kingdom lessons Jesus has been sharing the past few chapters in Mark (contra the scribes from last week).- This widow gave enough, despite what anyone else might have thought--Jesus sees things differently than we do.- The widow gave everything she had. This radical gratuitousness is meant to characterize every Christian, as we worship a gratuitous God and are filled with that God's gratuitous Spirit.Questions- Do you think this widow felt like she'd given enough?- Do you ever feel like you don't have enough to give to God? Does that either (a) compel you to give up and self-destruct, or (b) compel you to frantic overwork and self-cricitism, or (c) something else?- How can you see God's gratuitousness in your own life?- How might you imitate this poor widow this week?
