Two Small Copper Coins

I want to express love to people while I have the opportunity to do so. When we are in "survival mode" that priority drops lower. We have less and so it seems we have less to give but it is important to resist that resistance.

"And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 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. 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.' " - Mark 12:42-44 ESV

This passage seems to be about money but it has a deep message. Of all the people giving large sums Jesus noticed this person who was loving in a risky way.

One passage from my reading yesterday stuck with me. Perhaps it seems unrelated but it holds great meaning for me.

"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." - Luke 12:49-53 ESV

Is this the fire of judgement. No. I believe it is this fire.

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." - Matthew 3:11 ESV

"He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." - Acts 1:3-5 ESV

"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2-4 ESV

The fire that Jesus wanted to already be kindled is the fire of Love. It is the fire of His Spirit which is not separate from Him. The Father, The Son and the Comforter are individual but One.

The fire would bring separation because paradoxically that is what God's Love can bring. Sentimental human love allows for mixed allegiances because it is shallow. God's love is different. It leaves no room for garbage.

If love remains unexpressed divisions can grow wider. If love is expressed there is the possibility that divisions will disappear.

Oh God... please help us... Help me... Help us to communicate love in creative ways... We want affection and hospitality to flow even if all that we have are two small copper coins... give us the courage to be kind... give us words to say and ways to love... Thank You God for loving us... You love us from the richness of Heaven just as you loved us from the poverty of the cross... thank you... thank you... thank you... You are the awesome God... thank you.

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