Today’s scripture reading from the New Testament was Mark 14 and boy, was it jam packed with loads of tidbits I could go on and on about!!!  Between the Last Supper, Peter’s denial, Judas’s betrayal and Jesus’ arrest…uh, WOW!!!

However, what I would like to focus on is the small mention of the woman who poured her expensive jar of perfume on Jesus’ head.  Huh.  Seems like such an odd thing to do.

The chapter doesn’t say much about the woman, but Jesus makes it a point to say that her story would be told in remembrance of her.  How cool is that?!?!?!!

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus.  “Why are your bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.  But you will not always have me.  She did what she could.  She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  Mark 14:6-9

I’d like to point out that Jesus says, “She did what she could.”

Hmmmm…do we do what we can?  I seriously doubt it.

In fact, I’d dare say that most of us are working harder on how to get ahead in life than we are to get ahead in heaven.

We are missing the point.  We should be:

1. Feeding the poor.
2. Having compassion for those heavy burdened.
3. Loving our neighbors (regardless of whether they are nasty or not).
4. Visiting the people in prison.
5. Taking care of those sick or old or handicapped.
6. Caring for the widows and orphans.
7. Giving our time to the less fortunate.
8. Using our gifts for God’s glory.
9. Giving our money to just causes.
10. And most importantly asking God what we should be doing!!!

Not that it’s a competition, but how cool would it be if we were all trying to outdo each other in loving acts instead of stepping on each other to reach the top of the financial mountain here on earth?

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

And what would happen if we actually did what we could?  We would certainly live in a much different world.

Most of the time I do what I can to just get by.  Sigh…  That’s not good enough.  I should be doing what I can.

That can look like a whole lot of different things for each of us because we have different time commitments, bank accounts, and talents.  However, as we see with the woman and her perfume, it matters not what we bring to the table as long as we BRING IT.

There are many excuses to get out of this, but the truth is that we all need to be doing what we can.

Are you?

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 8:10-11 – Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.