Noble Service “She hath done what she could; she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” (Mark 14:8) Shortly before the crucifixion, Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Christ with some costly ointment in view of His coming death. This great deed of consecration was criticized by the disciples, but Christ defended her. Our verse is part of the statement Christ made in defense of her. It speaks of her faith and her faithfulness. Her faith. “She is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” Mary believed Christ when He predicted that He would die. She showed her faith in Christ here by anointing Him with this perfume for the burial. In those days people did not perform the embalming practices that we do today but wrapped the dead body with some linen and covered it with various perfumes to ward off the odor of decay as long as possible. So in anointing Christ with this perfume as she did, Mary said by her conduct that she believed Christ would die. Her faith was not a popular faith, for few believed this prediction by Christ about His death. Even the disciples did not believe Christ when He spoke of His death. But Mary believed. No wonder Christ commended her. Her faithfulness. “She hath done what she could.” This is such an encouraging statement. God does not require us to do what we cannot do or what we have not been gifted to do. He only requires us to do what we are capable of doing. Sometimes, if we cannot do much that would impress people, we think we cannot be of any service. Sometimes we complain of lack of talent and opportunities. But that is not our problem in service. Our problem is that we do not do what we can do. If doing what we can do is not enough, then God will take care of the rest. Maybe all you can do at church is fill a pew. But do it. If every church member was faithful in just filling a pew, it would do much for the Lord’s work. Maybe you cannot teach, but you can speak a kind word to others and exhibit a cheerful countenance. If you can do these things, by all means do them. For it will honor the Lord and help His work, and God will commend you for it.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 12:04:17 +0000
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