In Mk 14:3-9, Mary anointed Jesus with ointment of spikenard.  Jesus said about her that “She hath done what she could”.  This text gives us great instruction on how to do what we can for the Lord.

What she did was very valuable, v.3. This ointment was something she had in her possession.  Thus, this was something that she could do.  The ointment and the alabaster box that she broke were very costly, v.5.  But they were affordable; she didn’t exceed her means to give this to the Lord.  She already had it.  As Paul wrote, “It is accepted according to that a man hath”, 2 Cor 8:12.  What valuable thing do you have that you can give to the Lord?  Jesus gave his life and every thing he had to us.  Perhaps, you can give him your life.

What she did drew criticism from others, v.4.  The disciples were critical of her waste.  Indeed, when you do something for the Lord, some people cannot understand how you could do what you’re doing for the Lord.  The amount of your giving may draw criticism from your family or friends.  The fort that you are going somewhere to serve the Lord may cause them to think you’re out of your mind.  Sacrificing doesn’t make sense to most people.

What she did she did for the Lord, v.6, 8.  She didn’t do this for recognition.  She didn’t do this to earn something from the Lord in return.  Her motive had to be purely love.  This woman was Mary, Jn 12:3.  She had spent time at Jesus’s feet, Lk 10:39.  And she had heard his word.  The disciple shad heard him preach about his death, burial, and resurrection.  However, Mary was the only one here that seemed to really understand what was about to happen to him.

What she did was very timely, v.8.  She could not have done this at another time.  I always preach the you must be circumspect in your decisions.  I caution against moving too quickly on your decisions.  However, there are times when you have to act now.  Esther, had come to the kingdom “for such a time as this”, Est 4:14.  You have to do what you can for the Lord while you can.

What she did has eternal value, v.9.  When you do what you can, God notices it and he rewards it.  Perhaps, like the widow who gave the two mites, no one else will ever notice.  But when you do something of eternal value for the Lord, he definitely notices.  While the Lord may continually help us with our temporal lives, he is mostly interested in the eternal.  Do what you can do for the Lord that has eternal value.

Conclusion: She hath done what she could.  Are you doing what you can for the Lord?