GraceNotes

What She Could
Mark 14:8-9
Jim Stephens
11-03-09

Scripture:

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. During the meal a woman who some identify as Mary Magdalene and some as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, came in and broke open a container of expensive perfume, worth a year's wages, and poured it on Jesus' head.

The 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 he said some things that really spoke to me this morning:

* Don't criticize someone who gives a sacrifi cial offering differently than you think it ought to be given.
* She did what she could.
* Her story will be told throughout the world, wherever the Good News is preached. And it has been!

The primary message to me today is: She did what she could.

I want it to 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.

Prayer:

Father, I'm a long ways 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.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
Unsubscribe from GraceNotes here if you no longer wish to receive it.

If someone sent this to you and you like it, signup to receive GraceNotes.