She Has Done What She Could Lessons from

She Has Done What She Could *** Lessons from the Anointing of Jesus Mark 14: 3 -9

The Anointing of Jesus § Background: Matthew 26: 6 -13; Mark 14: 3 -9; John 12: 1 -8 § The second time Jesus was anointed (Lk. 7: 37 -39)

Mary’s Work § A work of volunteering

Mary’s Work § “there came a woman” § She volunteered this act; was not asked; was not forced § Christians must volunteer (Acts 9: 36)

Mary’s Work § A work of volunteering § A work of sacrifice

Mary’s Work § “an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly” § She gave up something precious and costly like Jesus himself § Christians must sacrifice (2 Sam. 24: 24; Rom. 12: 1)

Mary’s Work § § § A work of volunteering A work of sacrifice A work of courage

Mary’s Work § “And they murmured against her” § She acted in the minority; without approval; in spite of strong criticism; following conviction, not the crowd § Christians must act right regardless of what others think (1 Pet. 3: 16; 4: 4)

Mary’s Work § § A work of volunteering A work of sacrifice A work of courage A work of goodness

Mary’s Work § “she has wrought a good work on me” § She loved Jesus and worked good; expressed love, concern, devotion, commitment, gratitude § Christians must go about doing good to others (Gal. 5: 6; Jas. 2: 15 -16)

Mary’s Work § § § A work of volunteering A work of sacrifice A work of courage A work of goodness A work in season

Mary’s Work § “but me you do not always have with you” § She worked while she had the opportunity § Christians must work while they have opportunity (2 Cor. 6: 1 -2; Gal. 6: 10; 2 Tim. 4: 2)

Mary’s Work § § § A work of volunteering A work of sacrifice A work of courage A work of goodness A work in season A work she could do

Mary’s Work § “she has done what she could” § She worked within her talents; she made it personal; no proxy service § Christians must use their talents, no more, no less (Matthew 25: 24 -30; Lk. 17: 10; Ac. 11: 29; Rom. 12: 4 -8)

Mary’s Work § § § A work of volunteering § A work of faith A work of sacrifice A work of courage A work of goodness A work in season A work she could do

Mary’s Work § “she has anointed by body beforehand” § She believed what Jesus said about his death (Lk. 10: 39) § Christians must act upon their faith in Christ’s words (Gal. 5: 6)

Mary’s Work § § § A work of volunteering § A work of faith A work of sacrifice § A work of remembrance A work of courage A work of goodness A work in season A work she could do

Mary’s Work § “shall be spoken of for a memorial” § She did something that would be remembered throughout time § Christians will be remembered for their good deeds (1 Thess. 1: 3; Heb. 6: 10; 1 Pet. 1: 12)

Your Alabaster Vase § § § Studying daily § Loving the spouse Defending truth § Raising children Seeking the lost § Encouraging Praying fervently § Assembling Living godly lives § Teaching Bible class Visiting the needy § Volunteering Or, is it all just a “waste” (Mark 14: 4)?