SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD, Daily Devotion, Tuesday, March 5, 2013

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

27 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Mark 14:8  “….She hath done what she could…”

SCRIPTURE READING: MARK 14:1-9

1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? shehath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

REFLECTION:  NOTE: Today we begin, “The Journey To The Cross.”

Her name is unknown. Her lavish expression of love for the Savior is well-known.

Our Lord’s last Passover was only days away.  While eating at the home of Simon the Leper (one who may very well have been healed by Jesus, see Matthew 11:5), this woman entered the house, opened a flask of precious ointment, and poured it on his head.

She did what was good. 

The money-managers said it was a total waste.  Jesus said, “she hath wrought a good work on me.”

The world values what is material—what is seen. The Lord honors what is not seen—virtue, faith, hope, and love.

Jesus was grateful for the woman’s lavish gift for He knew it had been given out of love. She loved much.  She sacrificed much.  Our degree of sacrifice is always proportional to our love.

She did what she could.

Her love moved her to do more than just what was good, she did what she could.  Doing good is praise-worthy, but doing what we can is a step further. 

Some congratulate themselves on going the first mile.  Jesus praises those who go “the extra mile.”

How different our world would be if we would do what we could for Christ, for our friends, for our neighbors, and for those who oppose and despitefully use us.

She did what she should.

We are not sure that this dear woman had ever heard our Lord say that he would be crucified.  But now she knew for sure.  Jesus thanked her for anointing His body for burial. 

She should love Jesus and she did.

She should sacrifice for Jesus and she did.

She should do His will and she did.

Jesus said that, Wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the whole world, her example would be remembered.  May our admiration induce us to imitation.

PRAYER:  Our Father who so loved this world “that He gave,” we are inspired by those who have selflessly given of themselves to you.  Like the precious woman who did what was good, what she could, and what she should, we pray that our lives would be exemplary.  As everyone in the room sensed the aroma of her love, may the love that we pour out upon you touch all that you draw near to us today.  We love you Lord.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.  “Our Father, &c”