What She Could

Reading: Job 25; Mark 13-14

8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory. (Mark 14:8-9 NLT) A few days before his crucifixion, Jesus was guest of honor at a banquet at the home of Simon, in the village of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. During the meal, a woman some identify as Mary Magdalene and some as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, came in, broke open an alabaster container of expensive perfume, worth a year’s wages, and poured it on Jesus’ head. I’d like to think that for the next few days—at the Passover meal, in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the mock trial before Herod and Pilate, on the cross, and in the tomb, the faint fragrance of this perfume still lingered where Jesus was! Now, the entire room was filled with the fragrance of her act, but some of the people present began to criticize her and complain that the woman had wasted a valuable resource that could have been sold to help the poor. Jesus told them to leave her alone. Then Jesus said something that really spoke to me this morning:
• She did what she could! Don’t judge people for what they give and how they give.
• She did what she could! Don’t think, “I would have done it differently and my way would have been better.”
• She did what she could! Her critics did nothing (but criticize)!
• She did what she could! Jesus said that her story of extravagant sacrifice will be told throughout the world, wherever the Good News is preached. And it has been! May it be said of me, “He did what he could!” I want to give the substance of my life (that which, when poured out, can never be reclaimed or used in another way): My time, my abilities, my resources, my creativity, all that I am and have, to serve, honor, and please Jesus Christ. How about you, friends? Let’s do what we can! Prayer:

Father, I’m a long way from where I want to be in this. I want to be more conscious of the fact that I get only one opportunity to use each day of my life and each resource you put in my hands. I want to be willing to sacrifice what I have in a way that pleases you even if the other people in the room think I should have done it differently. Help me to give, serve, and live for an audience of one. Help me do what I can! Amen!