Having just returned from a tour of the Holy Land, (more on this later) I literally saw Biblical history come to life. We saw a reclaimed first century fishing boat from the Sea of Galilee, stood at the headwaters of the Jordan River where Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” and walked the Stations of the Cross. My husband, Randy is a history buff, coin collector and walking encyclopedia of all things numismatic. Being with him in Israel greatly enhanced my appreciation of our. For our store, he recently a short video about the Widow’s Mite. Here, modified for the purpose is the essence of his insight.
The Widow’s Mite
With Easter on the horizon, our focus is on Christ and all He taught us. Are you aware of how often a coin is used in His teaching? Among the most famous of these is the Widow’s Mite from the story of a charitable widow in the New Testament. Passages Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 recall her sacrificial offering and Jesus’ joyful response. While a “mite” merely defines a small coin, the famous story has caused wonder as to what sort of coins she might have donated. But, the 2000 years since Jesus’ time has made this difficult to confirm.
Lepton Coin
While we are unsure of the actual coin referenced, archeologists believe it to be the Lepton—distinguished by a design of a wheel with spokes. This was the smallest of the bronze coins in Jerusalem and Israel. And though it was struck during the reign of Alexander Janeus, before Jesus’ era, these coins continued in circulation at the time in which he lived. Tens of thousands of these coins have been found. They were crudely produced with an often off-centered design and were of the lowest denomination ever minted. At the time of Jesus and this widow, the lepton had very little worth. This might emphasize Jesus’ praise for not a sum of money but the value of this woman’s character.
As we head into Easter, may this little numismatic story give you a moment to reflect on your character. Are you living, and giving, in a way that would garner the praise of Jesus.
Through her speaking and writing, Lauren encourages people with her heartfelt messages and practical presentations. She is the author of The Art of Helping – What to say and Do When Someone is Hurting. Lauren and her family are active in both church and community choral groups. She and her husband Randy own Briggs and Coops Coins and live in Redlands, CA.
So amazing! I have always been touched by the story of the widow’s mite. THANK YOU for this precious reminder on giving and serving.
This post was a goldmine of information! I especially appreciated it because of how I can relate to it. You’ve completely shifted my perspective.