“What can I do for Jesus?” This question must have been going through Mary’s mind in Mark 14. Jesus was soon to die and be buried. Could she stop it? No. Could she take His place? No. Could she provide a new tomb for His burial? No. If she couldn’t do anything big for Jesus, at this crucial time in His life, then what could she do? She had “an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head” (Mark 14:3). John’s account says that she also “anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair” (12:3). Some, including Judas, were indignant – Why was this wasted? Why did she do this? What good is this? “And they criticized her sharply.”
Do you know what Jesus’ response was? “Let her alone…She has done what she could” (Mark 14:6-8). Are there times when we look down on others who seem to be doing so little and such insignificant works for the Lord? Is it because that is all they have? Is it because that is all they can do? Jesus says, “He has done what he could.” Have you done “what you could”?