The Best That You Can

Today’s Verse:

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. ~Mark 14:8

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Have you ever found yourself dreaming about what you would do if you had a substantial amount of money? Maybe you have thought something like, “If I had $10,000,000, I would do something big,” or, “If I had the ability, I would use it to solve some problem.” The truth is, we have in our possession a lot more than we realize, and much of it is not being put to as good of a use as it could be. This morning, we want to consider the significance of the statement that Jesus made of Mary of Bethany when He said, “She hath done what she could.”

She made the most of her extra.

She had an alabaster box of spikenard. She had originally planned to use this on the body of her brother Lazarus after his death. This precious spice would help to suppress the odor from the decay of his body. After Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, the spikenard could have been resold. It could also have been placed on a shelf to sit until another family death occurred. Instead, she made a wise choice by coming to a special dinner where Jesus would be and pouring all of it on Jesus. We have much "extra" in our life, but truth be known, it sits idle. She put her "extra" to a very wise use.

She made the most of her extraordinary.

She came to the dinner to give and not to take. While everyone else at the dinner was enjoying the meal and the fellowship, Mary used this opportunity to publicly show her love for the Lord Jesus. She broke the stem off of the alabaster box. By doing this, she was indicating that the spikenard would be poured out. Then, she would pour all of it on Jesus and not keep any for herself. She had no intention of taking any back or profiting from the spikenard. Spikenard was very expensive since it was an imported spice from India. She poured all of it on Jesus. This was so soothing to Jesus, considering that He had been in the hot sun all day. The smell of the spikenard was very powerful, and it filled the house. Everyone was consumed with the smell of the ointment being poured out. It is a picture of something extraordinary. She was not compelled or forced to do this. She did it to show her love for Jesus!

She made the most of her extolling.

She used her special features to exalt and worship Jesus for Who He is. She knew that she might not get another chance to show her love for Jesus. She poured out the entire spikenard content on Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The hair of a woman was her glory. She used what was special about her to show that Jesus was really the One Who was special. Mary did what she could, and she did it with all of her heart.

How much are you doing for the Lord? Are you doing what you can with what you have? Or do you have something that you could put to use that has been idle and unused? Do what you can in showing your devotion and love for the Lord!

Have a devoted God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Joshua 22-24

#Mark #Effort #Excellence #Sacrifice #Service