TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Mark 14:8
Read: Mark 14:1-11
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus is reclining at a table when a woman comes in and pours an expensive jar of ointment on his head. Some of the disciples get worked up about the cost of the ointment. They think instead of pouring it on Jesus’s head, it should’ve been used to meet some tangible needs. Jesus helps his disciples see the significance of the woman’s anointing. He’s been telling them he was going to die; they haven’t listened. Jesus wants them to see that this is actually a burial anointing. Instead of shaming the woman, Jesus honors her. He says a profound statement, “She did what she could.”
It can sometimes feel like our lives aren’t really making a difference. We feel like there are so many needs or too many problems. Jesus’s high praise for the woman helps us see that our job is to do what we can. Some of us need these words because we feel the weight of trying to change the world by ourselves. We need to lower the pressure and focus on doing what we can. Look at the woman’s offering and be inspired to commit to doing more because we are able. We can point our children to loving God, share the difference Jesus made in our life with our neighbors, treat our co-workers or classmates with respect, serve others in our community, take care of our parents with dignity or give to spread the good news of Jesus around the world. It’s about doing what we can and trusting God with the rest.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Think about how the woman did what she could and consider what you can do. Ask yourself what you should be doing. Pick one thing to start doing or commit to continue doing to serve Jesus.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
