Mark 14
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? she hath 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.
10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
The devil always seeks an opportunity to harm the gospel, and it eventually came through one of those closest to Jesus. Let us be on our guard that he might not use us, being close to Jesus, to harm the gospel.
When she poured the perfume over the Lord, there were those who scolded her for ‘wasting’ it, but the Lord praised her. Their arguments was very valid – it was worth more than a year’s salary! Even the disciples were included amongst those who scolded her and were unhappy with what she’d done. However, the Lord said the opposite. May we make sure that we are in tune with God, whatever we say or do. After the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, the Word says that the Lord confirmed the work, by accompanying signs and wonders. Then they were in tune with Him.
It is very easy for someone not personally involved in a matter, but looking on from a distance, to criticise and know better than those involved. Those furthest away from the action, usually have the most to say.
Judas revealed his heart. He wasn’t worried about the poor, but cared for his own pocket. He was double-faced. Why was Judas with the Lord? What had motivated him to become a disciple in the first place – was it his love for the Lord, or because of fame and his love for money. We don’t know, but we do know that at the critical time, his love for money got the better of him and he sold the Lord for it. Self drove him. If we are in God’s service and anything of self still drives us, we might become His biggest enemies. If money or fame still drives you, the question is only how much money or fame is needed to swing your allegiance from the Lord. What is your reason for serving the Lord?
However, this woman was an amazing woman. The Lord saw fit that her seemingly insignificant deed should be recorded for all eternity. Why? Because she did what she could. That is what the Lord expects from us – no more, but also no less. When you’ve heard the Lord’s call, have you since done what you could? If the Lord has been speaking to you over the years, have you done what you could in obedience. Also we must do what we can in God’s eyes, not according to our own judgement. It must be in tune with God. Peter also did what he could when he chopped off the ear of the servant of the high priest. The Lord had to rebuke him and heal the servant. He was doing his own thing. We must do what we can in Christ’s eyes. God must confirm it.
There might be various reasons why you don’t do what you can. Remember the 3 servants who were given the talents to work with. The first did what he could and worked with it and gained more. The second, although he received less, still did what he could with what he received and was blessed. The third one, however, was upset because he only received one talent. He murmured against his Lord, and hid his talent. He did not even use the one given to him. No wonder the Lord only gave him one. The Lord knows where to invest. If people do not invest in an institution, they can only blame themselves for not working in such a way that people invest in them. The Lord gives each one a fair chance and it is up to us to be faithful with it and work with it.
At another time the Lord actually went to see what the people put into the treasury. He saw the huge amounts of money the rich gave – a small portion of what they had. We don’t hear a lot about them, but we do hear of one person – a lady giving 1c. Her deed is recorded for all eternity. Why? Because she gave everything she had. The Lord knows what you’ve got.How do you serve the Lord with your strength, talents, capabilities, wealth and what do you give Him? Will He be able to say that you’ve given all you’ve got. He expects no more, but also no less. He will bless you richly if you give all you can, but you will also pay dearly if you do not serve Him with all you’ve got. The Bible says that if you know to do good and does not do it, it is sin. You might list all the sins you haven’t done – cursing, swearing, drinking, adultery, evil thoughts, etc., but what good did you know to do and did not do it. Were you slack in God’s work? Can you then still sleep peacefully, knowing you failed the Lord?
This women, when she earned money and bought this perfume, thought how to serve the Lord with it. She brake it and gave all, irrespective of the response. She committed herself. She wanted to go through with it. Oh, that more Christians will have this spirit, to say, Lord whatever I have I want to serve you with it and I don’t want to look back. I want to serve you with everything, not half-heartedly, but with all. Today her reputation and name is worth much more than that perfume she gave. The Lord Himself honoured her. If you want to be honoured by the Lord, be prepared to give everything for Him and His sake. What you will benefit is far, far greater than anything you can ever give. If you give to gain, and try to give in relation to the blessing, you will not be blessed, but lose all. May we give, not for our sake, but for God’s glory.