Hypocrites were everywhere among the world of Jesus, especially among the religious leaders. Spiritual leadership became less about the flock and more about being in positions of privilege, wealth and honor. Jesus said to beware of these kinds of people.

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples,  “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

I can think of a number of religious leaders today who are just like this. They encourage widows and poor people to give lavishly and they will get God’s blessings. All the while they live in houses that are extravagant. They love the attention they receive and are proud of their “powerful preaching” and kingdom work.

Jesus has a warning for them. They will be punished most severely. God will have his justice if not in this life, then the life to come.

But then there is that widow. The one that gives.

He sees her.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Maybe she was one of the ones coerced by the respect-driven religious leaders. Maybe she was a woman who just loved the Lord.

We don’t know.

But the Lord saw her. He honored her. He received her gift.

And such love and respect for Jesus is never lost.

Even when the leadership is bad.