Casting In All

“And Jesus looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.  And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in two mites.  And He said, “Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God: but she of her poverty has cast in all the living she had” (Luke 21:1-4).

At Passover God had a requirement… “None shall appear before Me empty”.  The offerings were to be from thankful hearts for the deliverance from Egypt, and the privilege of worshiping God in freedom.  That day, as travelers poured into the Temple with their offerings, the people were unaware (think of it!) that the same God who led them out of Egypt was now standing in the Temple, watching hearts, perceiving ritual from relationship, and sacrificial love from showy display.

What made the widow “cast in her all”?  It could only be one thing - she understood the Passover message: The God who saves is the God who keeps by the power of His blood. Did He not say, “I have seen the affliction of My people; I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sorrows. I will bring you out, I will deliver you from bondage, I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm and great judgements; I will take you to Myself for a people, and I will be your God”?  You can almost hear this widow say, “Have it all, dear Lord, for I have You.”

As we celebrate the Feast this season, may the Lord look down from Heaven and see that we’ve “cast in all” upon His blood and promises, for we esteem Him faithful who promised.

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)