Jesus as a model of faith
The Man on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)
One of the men on a cross next to Jesus mocked him, asking why he couldn�t save himself, but another man rebuked first for his remarks. This second man points out that the he and the first man deserve their punishment as �due reward of our deeds, but [Jesus] has done nothing wrong.� He asks Jesus to �remember� him in Jesus� kingdom, and Jesus promises him much more than remembrance; he promises him paradise that very day.
The man on the cross had apparently nothing to gain. He thought he would die and deserve no reward for his life. After all, he was crucified for certain deed(s) already. Yet, purely to preserve some small bit of reverence for Jesus, he verbally attacks this other man. Imagine how excruciating it must have been for him to speak, let alone speak with vigor, to this other man while he was slowly dying of asphyxiation on the cross. He did this despite his situation. He also embodies a great level of humility: he does not ask for salvation or entrance into Jesus� kingdom, but only asks Jesus to remember him. The English translation may not make such a significant distinction, but this humility is essential to the man�s faith. He sees himself as rotten and sinful, but he knows Jesus is great. Lastly, the story also comments on the power of faith in Jesus: the man will enter Jesus� kingdom �today.�
A Tree Is Known by its Fruit (Matthew 12:33-37)
Jesus makes the analogy of a tree�s goodness. A �tree is known by its fruit,� he says. A good tree has good fruit and a bad tree has bad fruit. In the same way, as Jesus points out, we are known by our words. �By [our] words [we] will be justified, and by [our] words [we] will be condemned.� Jesus rebukes the teachers of the law for claiming to speak good when they �are evil.�
Our words or our actions, which speak a million words, reveal our �worth.� Therefore, faith will continuously strive to do good in its environment, encouraging others and uplifting the spirits of everyone in touch. However, faith does not slip into arrogance, which the teachers of the law had done. We should strive for this Faith, which contains great humility while pursuing good works as if they were good fruits sprouting from our tree of Faith.
The Widow�s Offering (Mark 12:41-44)
While many people give great amounts of money to the synagogue, a poor widow came �and put in two small copper coins,� which was �all she had to live on.� Even though the woman only gave a penny, Jesus calls attention to her and says to his disciples that she put more into the box than anyone else.
The poor widow demonstrated an immeasurable amount of faith. She trusted that God would provide for her, even though she gave up all her money. She seconded her own material wealth to a small contribution to God. This also demonstrates an enormous amount of humility. She gave 100% of her possessions, thinking of herself as so vastly subordinate to God.
