Jesus Sees And Knows

Jesus Sees and Knows

Mark – God’s Message for Today - # 58 of

Jerry Watts

Mark 12:41-44

• It’s an old story but: Late one night, a burglar broke into a house that he thought was empty. He stealthily crept through the lounge and was stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a loud voice clearly saying, 'Jesus is watching you!' Silence returned to the house, so the burglar crept forward again. 'Jesus is watching you', the voice rang out again. The thief stopped dead again. He was frightened out of his wits. Frantically, he looked all around. In a dark corner, he spotted a birdcage and in the cage was a parrot. He asked the parrot, 'Was that you who said Jesus is watching me?' 'Yes', said the parrot. The burglar breathed a heavy sigh of relief and asked the parrot: 'What's your name?' 'Ronald', said the bird. 'That's a stupid name for a parrot, 'sneered the burglar.' What idiot named you Ronald?' The parrot said, 'The same idiot who named the Rottweiler Jesus.'

• Almost every time I read this story, which we call the “Widows Mite”, I am reminded of that story because just like that ferocious dog named Jesus was watching that burglar, so is our Lord was watching & is watching everything we do. And I wonder if we either forget Jesus is watching or don’t think it’s a big deal. So this morning, let us be reminded of this truth, “Jesus Sees & Knows.”

• There are 3 simple parts of this story which will speak as a reminder, a point, or even conviction.

1. The Eyes of Jesus – The text says, that Jesus sat down and watched. Guess what He was watching? He watching what each person GAVE to the Temple. When Jesus finished teaching (11:15) in the court of the Gentiles, He entered the court of the women. Against the wall of this court were 13 trumpet-shaped collection receptacles for receiving the worshiper’s offerings and contributions. From the vantage point opposite of one of the receptacles, Jesus was observing how people were giving as well as what people were giving. According to our story, He saw the people giving but I would submit, that He saw and He sees much more than we think.

• Consider the eyes of Jesus as is revealed in scripture. In Rev. 1:14, the Apostle John see them as “eyes of fire.” When John gets a picture of the glory of our Lord Jesus, he is overwhelmed and falls prostrate on his face like he was dead. In my mind’s eye, seeing the holy Lord of glory with his eyes like a flame of fire would be a startling & sobering experience. Very few things can stand up to fire.

• When I think of these eyes of fire I am reminded of my mom when I was a child. Now honestly, I know that my mama did not have eyes of fire or superhuman eyes like those of Superman, but it sure same like she did. Somehow, someway, and in some fashion, it seemed she always knew the truth no matter what I tried to tell her. Also when I was growing up, Superman was a big hit. You well remember that Superman had x-ray vision, he could see through anything except lead.

• I submit to you that those eyes of flaming fire which are Jesus’ natural eyes can even see through lead. He was sitting here seeing what the rich people and poor people put into the treasury of the temple, but beyond that, he knew what they should be putting in to the church. He also knew their attitudes. He saw the pride of the one who could drop him a lot of money, He saw the one who could drop in little money, and He saw the one who could drop in no money. And he knew what was in their heart. He could see those folks who were giving out of pride as well as those who were giving out of poverty.

• We should never lose the awareness that He sees what we do, He sees how we act, He sees what we give, and He sees how we serve. What amazes me is how seemingly unconcerned people are with the truth that Jesus sees and He knows. To be honest, it blows me away. Last Wednesday night, my entire devotion headed toward two questions: What if God’s people gave the same passion, commitment, and support, to the gospel and the church that they gave their favorite sports team, ballpark, or hobby?

• Conversely, I asked what if God’s people gave the same passion, commitment, and support to their sport team, ballpark, or hobby that they gave to the gospel and the church?