DC Talk – remember them? – once sang,

“I keep trying to find a life

On my own, apart from you

I am the king of excuses

I’ve got one for every selfish thing I do

What’s going on inside of me?

I despise my own behaviour

This only serves to confirm my suspicions

That I’m still a man in need of a saviour.”

When Jesus warned His listeners to “Beware of the religious leaders” I don’t think He was simply pointing out their hypocrisy. I believe He was also inviting the crowd – and us – to look closely at our own hearts.

True, there was a massive disconnect between how these leaders portrayed themselves and the real state of their hearts. Because a religious leader wasn’t permitted to earn a living from interpreting the Law, many wealthy benefactors placed their possessions at the disposal of the scribes and subsidized their lifestyle. Such a system was open to abuse and many of these scribes lived off people with limited income, including poor widows.

Jesus raises an important question for these leaders – who is your heart really serving – God or yourself?

In answer to His own question, Jesus then points out a conspicuously poor widow making her humble offering to God. The wealthy are easily observed as they pour out their large offerings, but this humble widow goes unnoticed by the crowd.

But she is seen by Jesus, and commended by Him because her offering demonstrated her complete dependence on Him to provide her needs.

Her offering revealed what was in her heart – total devotion to God.

DC Talk’s song finishes on a high note: “Honesty becomes me [there’s nothing left to lose], pride has no position [and riches have no worth], the fame that once did cover me [has been sentenced to this earth].”

Taking a close look at their hearts, they decide to serve Jesus.

Who is your heart really serving?

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 12:35-44