What is Solid?

Jesus goes for a walk with his disciples through the city of Jerusalem. They walk past the temple, and the disciples, marvel at the size of the stones that were used to build the temple. Huge stones, some of them weighing tonnes and tonnes look so solid, so unmoveable, everlasting almost. Jesus throws cold water on their awe, saying that all of those stones will be moved, will be broken down. the temple is not as solid as they might think.

That causes their earth to shift just a bit. If those stones aren't solid, then what can be?

This Sunday, we'll spend some time with this text, this story. We'll spend some time wondering what are the seemingly solid things in our lives, the things we rely on to hold firm. Are they are solid as we think they are? What is solid? What doesn't change?

The Widow's Coins

The widow with her two coins is a well-known story in the gospels. Jesus, sitting in the temple observes this woman giving her all, her rent money, her money for groceries, her money for heat and clothing. She is giving everything. We know this because Jesus tells us. Jesus knows this woman's condition and Mark records it for us.

We have often used this event, Jesus words, to promote generosity, to promote giving. We raise this woman as an example of trust, of giving back to God. She is often set up as an example to all of us.

But, is that really Jesus' intention as he points this woman out to his disciples? Does he really raise her as an example to be followed, or is he contrasting her with the scribes and leaders of the community that he points out in the verses prior to the entry of the poor widow?

We'll struggle with this on Sunday. We'll struggle with the examples Jesus points to and wonder what lesson he would have us learn from them.