Noticed“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
In the midst of the huge Passover crowds milling about in the outer court of the Temple, Jesus noticed a woman. He noticed her financial circumstances (poor). He noticed her marital state (widow). He noticed her humility (dropped in two small coins). He noticed her heart (poor as she is, she’s given everything she had to live on). He noticed a woman.
It made me think of other women he noticed and recorded in the Bible. I thought of…
-Rahab, the harlot who risked her life to hide Israel’s spies (Joshua 2)…
-The widow of Zarephath, who shared the last food she had with the prophet Elijah
(1 Kings 17)…
-Deborah, who judged Israel with integrity (Judges 4)…
-Hannah, a barren woman who gave back to the LORD the desire of her heart (1 Samuel 1)…
-Abigail, who wisely interceded with David to offset the foolishness of her husband
(1 Samuel 25)…
-The Shunemite Woman—wealthy but childless—who showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha
(2 Kings 4)…
-Ruth, the Pagan who chose to claim Naomi’s God as her own (Ruth 1)…
-Bathsheba, the repentant adulteress, graciously included in the bloodline of the Messiah (Matthew 1)…
-Teenage Mary, who received the promise of bearing the Messiah (Luke 1)…
-The widow in Nain, who received her only son back to life (Luke 7)…
-The Gentile Woman, who prevailed to touch Jesus’ garment and was healed (Mark 5)…
-Martha, distracted by service while her sister listened to Jesus teach (Luke 10)…
-Mary Magdalene, who was restored to sanity from demon possession (Mark 16)…
-Mary of Bethany, the only one who understood Jesus’ purpose and anointed him for death (John 12)
Each one of them had a need similar to those we experience. The need for protection, sustenance, purpose, family, victory, oneness with God, healing, forgiveness, and hope. Jesus saw them, had compassion on them and met their deepest need.
They lived in a culture that held little expectation for women beyond that of reproduction and household duties. Their opinions weren’t respected. Even in the legal system of the day, the testimony of a woman was inadmissible.
But the Son of God heard the heart’s cry of women.
Jesus looked. He watched. He heard. He noticed. He had compassion. He had relationship.
Following the darkest weekend in history, the sun rose on Sunday morning. It shone upon three figures standing before an empty tomb, wondering where the Lord’s body had been taken. They looked inside and were shocked to see a young man garbed in a white robe. Were these three Peter, James and John, the stalwart apostles who had shared the most intimate moments of ministry with Jesus?
No. The most important pronouncement in history was given to women.
“When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, ‘Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” Mark 16:5-7
According to verse one of this chapter, the women were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. Three women were entrusted with carrying the glorious message of Jesus’ resurrection to his grieving followers. Their hope was restored with honor.
What is your need today? Are you worried about the needs of every day life? Can you believe that Jesus notices you? Hears You? Respects You? Has compassion on you? Will keep his promise to stay with you, keep you and bring you through to victory? In Matthew, Chapter 6, Jesus reassures us God—our Heavenly Father—already knows what we need.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33
Choose to put your faith in him. He has noticed you.
by Marilyn Allison