APPEARANCES AND REALITY

Watch out for the teachers of the law.
They like to walk around in flowing robes
and be greeted with respect
in the marketplaces,
and have the most important seats
in the synagogues
and the places of honor at banquets.
They devour widows’ houses
and for a show make lengthy prayers.

Mark 12:38b - 40a (read 12:38-44) – NIV

Religion represents the best and worst of what is in the human spirit. Religious activities and liturgies may be expressions of beauty, of mystery and communion with the Creator and with creation. Or they may be disguises to hide the ugliness of selfishness and self-promotion. In some cases they may be a mixture of both the best and the worst.

Ecclesiastical and charitable institutions can provide opportunities for people of goodwill to provide services to others. They can also serve as a stage for people to project their neuroses and gain power and prestige. The negative may be disguised by outward forms that project a facade of grandeur and self-promotion which give the illusion of triumph and power. Genuine good may go undetected because it is not showy.

The passage from the New Testament, Mark 12:38-44 (see end of text), is an illustration of this principle. Jesus issues a warning to not be misled by appearances. Power is gained at the expense of the disadvantaged and humble who are the true citizens of the Kingdom. Their contribution is not recognized by the powerful and is ignored and despised as being insignificant. Their greatness is hidden, but it is valuable because it represents sacrifice, self-giving and humility. They do not come to occupy prominent places in the hierarchy of power and prestige. They are motivated by gratitude, are helpful and do not desire personal aggrandizement.

That widow, exploited and impoverished by the elite, gave her last two coins. In reality it was the greatest offering of the day.

Written history is done by the victors and is based on appearances and falsehoods. Real history is different. The real heroes are often unsung and represent true virtue. They are priceless, because they cannot be bought.

I am suspicious of much ado, flag waving and big claims. That is not what the Kingdom is all about. The true Kingdom goes quietly, unnoticed. It is present but often unseen. It doesn’t splurge or call attention to itself. Only sensitive people perceive it and appreciate it.

Jesus was not fooled by appearances. He saw through the sham of the showiness of the rich givers as they tossed in large amounts and he perceived the great value of that poor widow who quietly gave the last few cents that she had.

Our challenge is to acquire the sensitivity and wisdom to see beyond appearances and to see the humble manifestations of the Kingdom which are recognized and valued by only a few.

Not being able to climb the socioeconomic ladder is not failure. Failure is to use faith as a means to climb instead of to serve. It is OK to be ignored and unrecognized for the good we do. Moral failure is to exercise goodness in exchange for recognition and praise. The appearances of holiness may be fantasies and hide a selfish reality. The reality of the Kingdom flees from appearances.

The Kingdom is created out of small things! It's grace! It’s like salt and yeast, invisible but vital!

MARK 12:38-44 – NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)

As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”