Holy Week: Tuesday
Holy Week is about recognizing the uncommon in the midst of our regular lives. As we get closer to Easter Sunday, let us make this week one where we allow the story of God to bleed into our experiences. There is nothing more regular than eating. So we encourage you to do the daily devotionals during a meal time where the food that you eat can compliment the theme of each day of Holy Week.
Jesus’ life revolved around hospitality. He was often welcomed into people’s homes. In these special, holy moments, people shared space, life, and meals with Jesus the Lord. May we do the same, and allow the regular moments in our lives to be encounters with Jesus as we near Easter Sunday.
Tuesday: “The Lord’s Guests”
Mark 12:41-44
The Widow's Offering41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Devotional
If you knew you only had a couple more days of life, what would you do? What would be on your bucket list? On the Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus knows that there is not much more time until his crucifixion. On this day he spends time talking with his disciples, he talks to the crowds, he even talks to wise, smart leaders of the people like the Pharisees and Sadducees. But nestled into Jesus’ very busy Tuesday, he took time to focus on someone else that is normally pushed toward the margins.
“Then Jesus sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny. He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others.” What Jesus demonstrates in this moment several days before his death is his heart and care for those who go unnoticed.
On this Tuesday, we remember that in God’s house those who are often overlooked sit near to Jesus as his honored guests. May we remember that God has done the same with us, that when we feel sidelined, unheard, or unwanted, Jesus invites us into his house.
Food: Side dish as the main course
For this day, we recommend you do something that may seem a little weird. Take a side dish and make it the main course. This could be a salad, baked potato, mac and cheese, or some other creative thing that can be found on Pinterest. As you do, let that strange feeling direct you to this strange moment in the temple as God gives attention and honor to someone that is normally overlooked. Ponder how God has done this for you. Ponder whom you can take notice of today.