There are five widows mentioned in Luke who are pictures of what God’s people should be.
The first widow was a praying and serving widow.
Luke 2:36-38 Anna, a prophetess and an elderly widow, spent all her time in the temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. When she saw baby Jesus, she thanked God and spoke about him to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
The second widow was a serving and obedient widow.
Luke 4:25-26 Jesus said that during Elijah’s time, when there was a severe famine, there were many widows in Israel, but Elijah was sent only to a widow in Zarephath in Sidon.
1 Kings 17:8-16 God told Elijah to go to Zarephath, where a widow would take care of him. Elijah went and asked the widow for water and bread. She said she had very little food left, but Elijah reassured her that God would make her food last until it rained again. She trusted him, and her food supply miraculously lasted for many days, just as Elijah had said.
It may have seemed Elijah’s request to be first was selfish, but the Lord had told Elijah that He had already commanded her. Somehow, she was prepared by the Lord. When she obeyed, there was a blessing.
Obedience is something God has asked for from the beginning. In Genesis 3, Satan attacked two things: Eve’s faith and obedience.
We’re not saved by the works of the law, but obedience is essential.
To be ready for His return, two things are necessary: to love God and to know Him.
The parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins. When foolish virgins returned from buying oil, they knocked. Asking to open up to them. But the bridegroom refused. Saying he did not know them. He only knew those that were prepared in advance to his coming.
To know the Lord and have fellowship with Him is vital. He’ll come for those who love and prepare for His appearance.
The third widow was a weeping widow.
Luke 7:12-15 When Jesus approached the city gate, he saw a funeral procession for a widow’s only son. Moved by compassion, he told her not to cry. He then touched the coffin and told the young man to get up. The young man sat up and started talking, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
These five widows in Luke are pictures of what it means to be His: serving, obedient, weeping. Not mourning all the time, but because of sin of our own or others.
Every chapter of 1 Peter tells us of Jesus leaving an example of how to suffer.
Three places in Hebrews tell us why we can trust Jesus when we’re suffering.
Hebrews 2:17-18 Jesus had to become like us in every way so he could be a merciful and faithful high priest, helping to reconcile us with God by dealing with our sins. Because he suffered and was tempted, he can help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:15-16 We have a high priest (Jesus) who understands our weaknesses because he was tempted in every way we are but did not sin. Because of this, we can confidently approach God’s throne to receive mercy and find grace to help us when we need it.
Hebrews 5:7-8 During his time on earth, Jesus prayed earnestly with deep emotion to God, who could save him from death. Jesus’ prayers were heard because of his reverence. Although he was God’s Son, he learned obedience through his suffering.
The fourth widow was a praying widow.
Luke 18:1-5 Jesus tells a story to encourage people to always pray and not give up. He describes a judge in a city who didn’t fear God or care about people. A widow repeatedly came to him, asking for justice against her enemy. At first, the judge refused, but eventually, he decided to help her because he was tired of her constant requests.
She was constant in praying because she had an adversary and no one else to turn to.
1 Samuel 1: Hannah’s prayer. She had an adversary too.
An elder asked to give up the meeting in his home, because he had lost his faith. They asked if he prayed. “I used to.” But he had stopped three years before.
It can be hard to know what to pray for. In 1 John it tells us God hears when we pray according to His will. So we can pray when we’re moved as we read.
The fifth widow was a poor widow.
Luke 21:1-4 Jesus saw rich people donating money and then noticed a poor widow giving two small coins. He said that the widow gave more than the others because they gave from their surplus, but she gave all she had to live on.
I wondered if those two pence were loving God and our neighbor. Those commandments are never together in the Old Testament. Christ gave them together and increased the second. If we love with our all, and as Christ loved us—to lay down our lives for one another—that’s all our living.
Even the smallest members have a part in the body.
God’s people are a serving people, an obedient people, a mourning, praying, sacrificing people.
Truth Archive 