Do you ever feel like the Bible is hard to connect to your everyday life? Like, the people back in Jesus’ day didn’t deal with the kind of stress we face? Bills piling up, relationships breaking down, feeling like the world’s a dumpster fire with all the chaos?
You are not alone. As it turns out, most Americans don’t think that the people of Jesus’ day experienced the same things that you and I do today.
But hardships, my friend, reflect the human condition, a literal tale as old as time. Tough times have been around for longer than you and I. And believe it or not, the people Jesus encountered were sick of many of the same things we’re sick of now.
Financial struggles, social divides, war, politics…
And Jesus? He didn’t ignore any of it. He leaned in. Sometimes, yes, he worked miracles – you may have heard about some of those. But every time, he left people with something even greater—a truth, a lesson, an often unconventional way forward.
I want to tell you about some of the people He met—and why their stories might be helpful for you and I as we work to navigate the complicated times we live in right now.
Let’s start with the story of a widow. Did you know there are nearly 12 million widows in the United States today? And for many of them—and for so many women in general—there’s this sense of feeling stuck, like you can’t do anything about the things you’re sick of in life.
That’s what makes this widow’s story so powerful. She was broke. Not “I’m-on-a-budget” broke—she was down to her last two coins. She could’ve held onto them; no one would’ve judged her. But she gave them away. All of it.
Here’s the scene: Jesus was watching people drop money in the offering. The rich were making a show of it—big bills, big gestures. But then this widow came up and quietly dropped her two little coins. Most people probably didn’t even notice. But Jesus did. He turned to His followers and said, “This woman gave more than all of them combined. They gave out of their wealth, but she gave everything she had.”
Now, let’s pause for a second and just think about why this moment was so important.
Back in Jesus’ day, widows were some of the most vulnerable people in society. Without a husband to provide, most widows lived on the margins—barely scraping by, often overlooked, and sometimes outright dismissed. They didn’t have power, influence, or security.
And yet, Jesus leaned in. He didn’t just notice her; He acknowledged her. In a culture that often ignored women like her, He held her up as an example of faith and trust. That was powerful.
So, what does that mean for us today? A lot of us feel like we don’t have enough—money, time, energy. The widow’s story wasn’t just about giving; it was about trusting. It was about believing that what you offer, even when it feels small, can make a big impact.
And here’s the thing: when you give from your lack—your last bit of kindness, your final ounce of patience—it does something to you. It could grow your courage. It could shift your focus from scarcity to abundance. And y’all, it helps others in ways you may never see.
This wasn’t about Jesus applauding her poverty. It was about Him seeing her humanity—her heart—and lifting her up in a way no one else would. That’s why this story matters. It’s a reminder that even in the moments when we feel invisible, overlooked, or like we have nothing left to offer, there is profound meaning in what we give.
So when you’re feeling like you don’t have enough to make a difference, remember this widow. Remember what Jesus said about her. Because even the smallest moment can hold the biggest lessons.
Let’s take a look at this Roman soldier. Now this guy, he was a big deal—a military leader with power, influence, and a lot of authority. But there’s a twist: his servant, someone he deeply cared about, was gravely ill, and he didn’t know what else to do.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Romans and Jews? They didn’t get along. At all. The centurion represented everything oppressive about Roman rule—taxes, soldiers, foreign control. And yet, instead of leaning into pride or politics, he went to Jesus for help.
And here’s the thing: the way they interacted wasn’t what you’d expect from two people on opposite sides. The centurion didn’t come demanding a favor or flexing his power. He showed respect. He didn’t even ask Jesus to come to his house—he just said, “If you say the word, I know my servant will be healed.”
Now think about that. Jesus, a Jewish teacher under Roman occupation, could’ve dismissed him. He could’ve seen the soldier as the enemy. But he didn’t. Instead, Jesus acknowledged the man’s humility and his heart. He turned to the crowd and said, “I haven’t seen faith like this anywhere.”
This moment wasn’t just about healing someone physically. It was about two people—who should’ve been enemies—honoring one another. The centurion respected Jesus enough to approach him humbly, and Jesus respected the soldier enough to meet him where he was.
So why does this matter now? Because, let’s be real—it’s hard to honor people we disagree with, let alone someone we see as an “enemy.” Our culture often rewards division, making it easy to write off someone who thinks, looks, or believes differently than we do.
But this story reminds us that real courage is found in crossing those divides. It’s about seeing the humanity in someone on the other side of an argument, a conflict, or an entire belief system. It’s about choosing respect over resentment, even when it’s easier to walk away.
Jesus didn’t just see a Roman soldier; He saw a person. And the soldier didn’t just see a teacher; he saw someone who could help. In that moment, they chose to honor each other instead of letting their differences define them.
So, when you find yourself face-to-face with someone you struggle to respect, think about this story. What would it look like to approach them with humility? To honor them, even when it’s hard? Because sometimes, the most unexpected connections happen when we step outside of what divides us and lean into what could bring us together.
