When I go to heaven, I can’t wait to see my mom and dad again. You know, my dad passed away before I was a teenager, so my mom was a widow for many, many years.

You might be surprised how often widows come up in the Gospels. The most famous widow’s story appears at the end of Mark chapter 12[:41-44]. The immediate context suggests certain religious leaders had cheated her out of her rightful property.

The poor widow’s story takes place in Jerusalem only three days before Jesus lays down His life. A group of religious leaders called Sadducees confront Jesus one last time. These hypocrites had no love for the Lord. They also felt repulsed by the common people. Proof? What seems to be their favorite joke made a mockery of childless widows [Mark 12:18-27]. You can read it in Mark chapter 12.

Even worse? The Sadducees controlled the judicial system, which barred women. When a woman’s husband died, therefore, she couldn’t do anything to protect her family’s property from being seized “legally.” How wicked! Jesus condemned these religious scam artists in no uncertain terms towards the end of Mark 12. [Mark 12:38-40].

In biblical times, all the way back to the days of Moses, loving your neighbor meant giving to the poor, especially widows in need. Like Jesus, let’s do the same.  

This is Luis Palau.