Shortly before Jesus was arrested and crucified, He and his disciples gathered in Bethany for a meal. During the meal, Mark 14 explains how a woman anointed Him with very expensive perfumed oil with an estimated value of a year's wages. Good perfume is always expensive, but usually not that expensive. Because perfume is valuable the use of it is for special occasions so it will last awhile. When this woman simply poured out the entire contents of the perfume on Jesus in a moment, it is not surprising they viewed this as a gross waste. They began to criticise the woman and murmured about how much it was worth. Instead of wasting it, why not sell it and help the poor?
Jesus didn't see it their way. Mark 14:6-9 reads, "But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." Jesus knew His remaining time on earth was short and acknowledged the good work the woman did, a sacrifice He is worthy to receive. There would always be opportunities for His disciples to do good to the poor, but this notable act this woman did was legendary. She anointed Christ for His burial, and her gracious gift would never be forgotten.
One thing Jesus said rings in my ears as it relates to my life: "She has done what she could." She was willing to do what others refused to consider. They could have poured out expensive oil on Jesus, but they wouldn't. They couldn't justify the apparent waste of perfume, even if poured out on Jesus. It is like this woman realised who Jesus was because of all He had done for her, and she knew He wasn't done. He had forgiven her many sins, and He would go on to shed His blood for the sins of the world. Because she was recognised the worthiness of Christ she did what she could for Him. The question I am faced with is, do I do what I can for Jesus? There are likely many things I can do I have never considered doing because I, like the disciples, do not value Jesus as I ought. No matter how much we have done, it is likely there are things within our ability to do we have not done because we didn't see the value in it. To obtain God's perspective we need to look upon Jesus and remember this woman's example of sacrifice.
As recipients of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have freely received amazing blessings from God. We have been pardoned of our sin and made righteous through faith. We have been made children of God and filled with the Holy Spirit. We have been given everything which pertains to life and godliness. We who have received so much ought to do what we can to meet needs of others for Christ's sake and go even further - to graciously bless them according to God's leading because we value our God and love our fellow man. What a testimony, that God would say of you or me, "He has done what he could." Is there any greater compliment from our Master and Saviour than this?
Jesus didn't see it their way. Mark 14:6-9 reads, "But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." Jesus knew His remaining time on earth was short and acknowledged the good work the woman did, a sacrifice He is worthy to receive. There would always be opportunities for His disciples to do good to the poor, but this notable act this woman did was legendary. She anointed Christ for His burial, and her gracious gift would never be forgotten.
One thing Jesus said rings in my ears as it relates to my life: "She has done what she could." She was willing to do what others refused to consider. They could have poured out expensive oil on Jesus, but they wouldn't. They couldn't justify the apparent waste of perfume, even if poured out on Jesus. It is like this woman realised who Jesus was because of all He had done for her, and she knew He wasn't done. He had forgiven her many sins, and He would go on to shed His blood for the sins of the world. Because she was recognised the worthiness of Christ she did what she could for Him. The question I am faced with is, do I do what I can for Jesus? There are likely many things I can do I have never considered doing because I, like the disciples, do not value Jesus as I ought. No matter how much we have done, it is likely there are things within our ability to do we have not done because we didn't see the value in it. To obtain God's perspective we need to look upon Jesus and remember this woman's example of sacrifice.
As recipients of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have freely received amazing blessings from God. We have been pardoned of our sin and made righteous through faith. We have been made children of God and filled with the Holy Spirit. We have been given everything which pertains to life and godliness. We who have received so much ought to do what we can to meet needs of others for Christ's sake and go even further - to graciously bless them according to God's leading because we value our God and love our fellow man. What a testimony, that God would say of you or me, "He has done what he could." Is there any greater compliment from our Master and Saviour than this?
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