When Jesus did something, he was all in. Yesterday, we read how Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sin; he gave his life so that we might live. So, it goes without saying that when Jesus called people to follow, he demanded that they, too, be all in. When a rich young man asked what he must do, Jesus told him to sell everything he had, distribute the proceeds to the poor, then come follow. On other occasions, Jesus commanded that we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow, or to count the costs of following before venturing down the path of discipleship. If you think following Jesus is a part-time hobby, think again.
The story of the Widow’s Mite is another one of these All In stories. Jesus commends the widow for putting two copper coins on the offering plate, a pittance really compared to the large cheques of the wealthy. But those coins represented all that the widow had, which after being deposited meant the widow didn’t have two coins to rub together. Jesus said, blessed is she.
What does “all in” mean? Simply, to love God with our whole being and our neighbours as ourselves.
Calling God, work in me that I may be all in in my following you. Amen. —