Denouncing the Pharisees
51
very foundation. Not one of those massive stones—some of which
had borne the devastation of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, and stood firmly
through the storm and tempest of centuries—was to be left upon an-
other. They did not clearly comprehend the purpose of all this ruin.
They did not discern that in a few days their Saviour was to be offered
up as a victim for the sins of the world. The temple and its services
would then be of no more use. The blood of beasts would be of no
virtue to expiate sin, for type would then have met antitype, in the
Lamb of God who would have voluntarily offered his life to take away
the sins of the world. Later, when all had been accomplished, the
disciples understood fully the words of Jesus, and the reason of the
calamity which he foretold.
Jesus lingered near the court where the women were depositing
their offerings in the treasury. He observed the large donations of
many of the rich, but made no comment upon their liberal offerings.
He looked sadly at the comers and goers, many of whom presented
large gifts in an ostentatious and self-satisfied manner. Presently his
countenance lighted as he saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly, as
though fearful of being observed. As the rich and haughty swept past
her to deposit their offerings, she shrank back as if scarcely daring
to venture farther. And yet her heart yearned to do something, little
[72]
though it might be, for the cause she loved. She looked at the mite
in her hand; it was very small in comparison with the gifts of those
around her, yet it was her all. Watching her opportunity, she hurriedly
threw in her two mites and turned to beat a hasty retreat. But in doing
so she caught the eye of Jesus which was fastened earnestly upon her.
The Saviour called his disciples to him and bade them mark the
widow’s poverty; and as they stood looking at her, words of commen-
dation from the Master’s lips fell unexpectedly upon her ear: “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they
all.” Tears of joy filled the poor woman’s eyes as she felt that her act
was understood and appreciated by Jesus. Many would have advised
her to appropriate her small pittance to her own use rather than to give
it into the hands of well-fed priests, to be lost among the many and
costly gifts donated to the temple; but Jesus understood the motives
of her heart. She believed in the service of the temple as appointed
by God, and she was anxious to do her utmost to sustain it. She did
what she could, and her act was destined to be as a monument to her