Today is Maundy Thursday. It’s not as well-known as Palm Sunday, Good Friday or Easter Sunday. But many churches have special services.

The name comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34. He gave us a “new command” (Latin: mandatum novum) to love one another as he has loved us. 

In Mark 12 we have a beautiful example of this kind of love.

A poor widow came up to the offering boxes at the temple and put in “two very small copper coins” (verse 42). Seeing this Jesus called the disciples together and 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” (verses 43-44).

According to some sources I checked there were 13 offering boxes at the temple. Most had to do with sacrifices and other offerings. But the last few were for charity to help the poor. The poor widow was most likely putting her coins in those boxes.

Why would she do that? She herself was poor. It was “all she had to live on.” She wouldn’t have been able to buy her next meal! 

The woman was a living example of Jesus’ sacrificial love. He had just been teaching about loving one’s neighbour as you loved yourself. If, as a poor widow, she would have appreciated help from others, then why wouldn’t she help other poor widows? She was truly loving her neighbour as herself.

Did Jesus point her out to his disciples because she was successful, popular, rich, attractive, accomplished, smart, or strong? 

No. 

Jesus held her up as an example because he looked at her heart and saw devout, sacrificial love.

This Easter, may we become so swept up in the devout, sacrificial love of Jesus, that it becomes not only second nature, but first nature.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Notes and extra content:

-If you’re close to Barrie, Canada and don’t have a church home, click here for our Easter Services: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.