It is the privilege of some of us who are serving the Lord overseas to have praying for us some faithful elderly sisters, who give themselves unstintingly to the ministry of intercession. This ministry may be hidden from men, but it must be very precious in the sight of God, and there is no doubt that we, as the Lord’s servants, benefit greatly thereby, in ways known and unknown.
This is no new thing. There are many records in the Holy Scriptures of the devotion to the Lord of honorable women, and I was recently impressed by the fact that in Luke’s Gospel alone there are no less than five widows specifically referred to. Their characters and circumstances vary tremendously. In fact, one can say that perhaps the only thing they have in common is that they were in fact widows, yet each one of them has, I believe, a very definite message for us.
Four of these were real living persons, and the one of chapter 18, although a parabolic character, may well have also been a living personage whom the omniscient Christ used as the subject of His story. Let us consider these five widows individually and seek to deduce the varied, yet united testimony which they bear to help us in our Christian walk and service.
The Godly Widow (Lk. 2:36-38)
Anna had probably been a widow 84 years; married 7 years; if, therefore, she were in the region of twenty years of age at marriage she was approximately 111 years old when her long life of worship, consisting of day and night fastings and supplications, was crowned by the wondrous sight of the Promised Messiah, then but a babe in arms. In this gracious woman the words of Psalm 84 were exemplified: “How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord…Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will still be praising Thee.”
This saintly widow, we are told, departed not from the temple. To her it was divinely revealed that this child was none other than the Lord’s Anointed. She spoke of Him to all that were looking for the redemption of Israel. From this first widow we see clearly that consecration of life results in certainty of testimony.
The Gentile Widow (Lk. 4:25-26)
The Saviour used this Sidonian widow as a unique illustration of the truth that a prophet is unacceptable in his own country. In the days of Elijah there were many widows in Israel, but to this Gentile woman the prophet was sent in an hour of desperate famine. Space forbids our going into all the details of God’s amazing provision for His servant in the humble home of this poor widow, and of the blessing which she herself received in consequence. Suffice it to say that I believe the Lord referred to her in that synagogue at Nazareth to show us all that if we refuse to accept into our hearts and homes the gracious ministry and person of Jesus Christ, then this great benediction will go to others. There is a special word here for any in Christian homes who may read this magazine and are as yet themselves unsaved. Grasp now your opportunity of salvation by trusting the Saviour before it is too late.
There is, of course, a second lesson which lies right on the surface, and it is this–in providing for the Lord’s servants, your barrel of meal will never empty nor your cruse of oil fail.
The Sorrowing Widow (Lk. 7:11-17)
Have you ever pictured in your mind that tremendous scene at Nain so long ago? Here we have two throngs of people, moving in opposite directions, and following different persons. Drawing near to the city is a great crowd following the life-giving Son. Coming out of the city is a second crowd following a lifeless son.
When these two opposing throngs meet, something is bound to happen. Someone must triumph. The issue is never in doubt. “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.”
“He that was dead sat up and began to speak, and He gave him to his mother.” The widow’s sorrow was turned into joy, and she reminds us that in the person of Christ, death, our greatest enemy, has met its Master.
The Persistent Widow (Lk. 18:1-8)
We do well, when our prayer life is flagging, to get back to this amazing parable. Here was this widow unwelcome, unwanted, calling for justice, coming to a man in authority who was unjust, unmerciful, and selfish to the last degree.
Despite all these discouragements she got what she wanted, simply because she wanted it badly enough to keep on when the cause seemed lost. What a contrast to our privilege as children of God! We are invited to come; we have an Advocate before the throne; we have the all-prevailing Name in which to make request, we are promised the ear of a righteous God, who is also our Father and who loves His children. Shame on us, then, if we do not pray. Brother, sister, remember this widow. Pray always, and faint not.
The Poor Widow (Lk. 21:l-4)
I always feel that the most significant thing about this dear woman’s giving was this–she had two mites and she gave them both. Had she given only one she was still exceeding by 40% her obligation to give 10%. But she gave all she had–100%. The all-seeing eye of the Son of God saw not only the size of the gift, but the size of her love and gratitude to God. Hers was indeed true worship.
The Gospel record does not follow her footsteps, penniless footsteps back home from the temple, but we may be assured of one thing–that poor widow did not die of starvation! Her message to us simply cannot be mistaken: give as unto the Lord, and not as unto men. Someone has said, “Christianity affects us in three stages–first, our heads; second, our hearts; third, our pockets; but between the second and third stages there are cataracts broader than those which block the Nile.”
In conclusion, let us hear again the message of the five widows:
l. Live a consecrated life.
2. Receive the grace of God.
3. Triumph in Christ.
4. Pray without ceasing.
5. Give sacrificially and joyfully.
Refuse old wives’ fables, but follow the wisdom of these widows!