Mark 14:8 "She hath done what she could:"
Jesus spoke this answering the disciples after they had witnessed Mary of Bethany anoint Jesus with the expensive ointment of spikenard. Spikenard in the Bible was an expensive spice used to make perfume. This spice is obtained from a plant located in the Himalayas of China and the northern regions of India and Nepal. It was very expensive.
What I want to focus on today is not necessarily the anger and confusion of the disciples but the phrase that we quoted above about her actions. I find it a very comforting thought that God never expects us to do above and beyond what we are able. Now, I understand Philippians 4:13 but this verse is proof positive that we can do all that God has in mind for each of us to do. This bar of excellence is set at different levels for different people. The ability that Moses possessed and the expectations God had for him are very different than what He has planned for most us.
What is great about this verse is that Jesus felt loved and honored by the sacrifice of Mary and her desire to express her devotion to Him! He even said that her devotion to Him would be spoken of around the world wherever this gospel was preached. It would be a "memorial" for her (vs. 9). We know that this is absolutely true because we are speaking about it even today.
Don't worry about how you measure up to anyone else...just be sure to do all you can do through His power (very important) to honor and exalt Him with your life each day!
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