She Did What She Could!

She Has Done What She Could

Mark 14:1,2, 3-9 (Mat 26:6-12; Jn 12:1-9)

Faith Baptist Church/10 Dec 06/am – FBCW/1 Oct 2023/am

INTRO: Many good sermons and commentaries have been written on this passage, ranging from the theological implications to the spiritual insight of Mary, as to the future restrictions that would surround the death and burial of our Lord Jesus. The first two verses tell us of the time frame of what is going on. The Passover was observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, which is the Jewish month Nisan and corresponds to our April. “In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s Passover” Lev 23:5 Then the feast of ‘Unleavened Bread’ immediately followed on the fifteenth day of the same month, April/Nisan, this was commanded as well in Lev 23:6. Therein lies the problem, the rulers wanted to kill Jesus ASAP, and do it quietly and deceptively/crafty, but these Holy days would bring many people to Jerusalem and the rulers did not want to anger at the people because they feared a possible uproar or riot. The people, in general held a good opinion of Jesus, He fed and healed many of them. However, this morning I would like to touch on only some of these insights, I spoke of earlier, and focus on a narrower issue. The first six words of VS8, “She hath done what she could.” Let’s begin with an overall understanding of our text.

I. The Disciples lacked understanding. Vs 4 Like so many today, they did not or could not grasp the spiritual meaning of what was going on. They/we are too busy living the temporal and miss the spiritual. Because of that:

A. They were indignant (much displeased, with arrogance, pious). Don’t you just hate it when someone rains on your parade and brings up spiritual things when you are busy with what is important to you that is not spiritual? So:

1. They became quarrelsome/contentious.

2. We are told in the Bible, not to be like that, it leads to strife. Prov 17:14 “The beginning of strife is as when one leteth out water: therefore, leave off contention, before it be meddled with.”

a. They were to be peacemakers not strife-makers. Mat 5:9

b. They were indignant, quarrelsome because.

c. Mary was more sensitive to spiritual things.

d. Because she was a woman. Women often seem more sensitive to spiritual.

e. Because she wasn’t trained and did not travel with Jesus like they/disciples did.

f. There was obvious envy in their words. And Envying is wrong. Jam 3:14,16 “But if ye have bitter envyings and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” And “For where envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.”

g. We must remember, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace… therefore, it can’t be of God when we or anyone else acts that way. 1Cor 14:33

3. They had Strife in their hearts, and that is bad for us and others.

a. Foolish behavior and vain words lead to strife. 2Tim 2:23 “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”

4. There is not to be disputing among the brethren or the Lord’s churches. Phil 2:14,15 “Do all things without murmurings and disputing: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God…”

B. Yet, they murmured and complained. Vs 4-5 We know how God feels about that.

1. We see this same thing in another story with her sister Martha. Lk 10:38-42

2. Jesus commended Mary for her spiritual discernment and admonished Martha who, though doing good, had misplaced understanding (out of balance) Her work took priority over spiritual things, as lack of sensitivity ruled.

3. We are to do everything w/o complaining and murmuring. Phil 2:14 “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” There was plenty of that there as well, but there should not have been.

a. When we complain, we are telling God He is wrong or unfair, or doesn’t understand. It’s we who don’t understand.

C. Their priorities were wrong: The priority should be as Jesus said: “If ye love me keep my commandments” Let us not become lukewarm to the Lord.

1. Jesus said: “For ye have the poor with you always, but me ye have not always,” They/Judas tried to justify their complaint.

a. Jesus taught by word and deed how important it was to meet the needs of the poor and orphaned. But he was also just as clear that spiritual needs were more important.

2. Even though they had been told He was leaving, they still didn’t understand. They were focused on themselves and not what was most important.

a. Mat 16:23 “get thee behind me satan…” Peter went so far as to rebuke the Lord, but Jesus rebuked him and said he even was doing the devil/satan’s work let alone not understanding the important things. Jesus responded,

b. They just weren’t getting it, but Mary did. Unless we “do what we can” as well as spend time at the feet of Jesus and be sensitive to Him and His Word, we will be like the disciples, sometimes even doing the work of the devil.

D. They were more worried about money, mammon/temporal things, than the Lord (spiritual things, the weightier things in our lives).

1. Good stewardship is important but not as an excuse to do wrong or not do what the Lord wants.

Jesus then responded to the disciples and Mary:

II. By Jesus commending and defending Mary: He said: “Let her alone, why trouble ye her”; in other words, why are you picking on her, she understands what you don’t and acted upon it. He says: “She hath done/Did What She Could”

A. She did what she could and gave what she had. Not just words or promises but action. She lived a spiritual life in a temporal world and not the other way around like so many of them/us.

1. The most precious thing she owned was the perfume she gave and poured on the Lord, as she was moved by the H.S.

2. Like the Poor widow woman who gave her all. Lk 21:2-4

a. This story was in contrast to those who had much and gave little, the minimum or nothing.

b. The disciples were worried about the money, not what the gift truly meant.

3. She didn’t make a vow, or go out for a present, she gave what she already had that was precious to her. She didn’t give lip service she gave. Jesus accepted. Jn 21:10 (Jesus used what they caught) Just do something with what you already have as the Lord leads!

4. Paul said: I am what I am, and gave what he had, which was not much, be he gave of himself, and recognized who he was at any given moment, yes, we are to become more each day, then give what we have at any particular moment. “he/Paul labored more abundantly”

B. She gave the best she had. Not some cheap cologne. (don’t give broken/lame)

1. It was probably a perfume from India.

2. It was worth about one year’s wages.

3. She lavishly poured it on the Lords’ head and feet, in preparation for His death. It also blessed the house. They could enjoy the sweet fragrance. Bless God, and your house is blessed.

C. She Gave of herself to the Lord. Ungrudgingly. She did not pour a few drops, but all of it. Like the song “I Surrender All” she gave her all, she gave all she had and held nothing back. She loved Jesus, she had some spiritual discernment knowing the things of this world don’t really mean much and are to be used for God’s glory!

1. She gave it all and she gave it lovingly. It was a sign of her devotion, appreciation and love. The Bible reminds us that when it comes to giving, It is more blessed to give than receive; and we are to give cheerfully.

2. Humanly speaking it may have seemed reckless and a waste to pour away such a valuable item. (to the point of making an excuse to not give it)

3. People think it’s a waste to give one day a week, let alone a year or years of one’s life to the Lord, how much more a waste they consider it to give one’s whole life to the Lord.

4. Do you Remember the certain woman which had an issue of blood twelve years. Mk 5:25-26

a. She was willing to give all she had, to be healed physically, there is nothing more precious than our health.

b. But spiritually, we are to be living sacrifices, using our bodies and our talents and abilities, and possessions for the Lord. Rom 12:1 Giving our all for our Lord and Savior.

D. She did a good work; the work God wanted and wants from each of us. Vs6

1. The Lord wants us to take and make the time to sit at his feet in worship, and meditation, and adoration and praise. Even when there are other things that can be done. Do what is most important, first!

E. She did it in love.

1. She loved Jesus for who He was.

2. She loved Jesus for what he would do and what He did do.

F. She did it in faith.

1. She had spiritual discernment/understanding.

2. She gave of herself personally, literally, understanding what Jesus was going to do. She had spiritual discernment because He mind was on Jesus, not the distractions of what was going on around her.

3. She might never be able to care for him later. But she could do something now.

4. She wanted to show her faith and her love while He was still alive. (While she could)

5. So, “she did what she could” whileshe could. That should be our hearts desires.

III. Spiritual Principles trump worldly principles. “Ye will have the poor with you always.” Not only was there a lack of Spiritual discernment on the part of the disciples, but they did not understand the reality of this world and how Jesus trumps it. Feeding the poor and meeting their temporal needs is second to their spiritual needs. But that is not an excuse to ignore or mistreat them. We are to:

A. Do good to them. Vs 7 The poor and needy. No special treatment for the rich.

1. We ought always to do good, and especially to each other.

a. Col 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” Do right/best for the Lord.

b. Col 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Giving thanks by our deeds and words.

2. We have a responsibility to our world, take care of the earth, the animals, and the poor and fatherless. That is a proof of our religion and out faith. Jam 1:27

c. As the Lord lays it upon your heart to give or work for the poor and needy, do it.

d. As a church, we also are to, but first for our own and then others yet using it as an opportunity to give out the gospel.

3. But those things don’t come before our spiritual necessities.

B. Jesus was ready to leave them. Vs 7 “But” me ye have not always. Therefore they were being reminded to:

1. Take care of the spiritual first and foremost. Vs 9 Like Mary!

a. Be careful not the leave your first love. It makes us insensitive and uncaring. Neither hot/cold to the Lord. Rev 2:4

b. Do everything for the glory of God. 1Cor 10:31

c. Our lives are not merely physical, they are spiritual, and we must spend at least as much time as possible in the spiritual realm, that we may glory in the Lord and bring glory to Him.

2. The poor will always be with us, but we only have a short time on this earth to do the right things, spiritual things.

IV. We also see the Lord’s admonition to the disciples, Jesus said: “Let Her Alone”: A commentator speaking of his own personal experiences, put it this way, “There were some (the disciples, Judas in particular) who felt sure that they could have had a wiser plan for her service and her property. There are always some self-qualified planners who know a better way to do everything, …” Yet do little. Remember when Jesus said to the Scribes/Pharisees about judging the adulteress woman. Jn 8

B. Cast the first stone, if you are sinless. Jn 8:7 The adulteress was forgiven.

1. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their lack of understanding and grumbling about her. So, in our text,

a. He defended Mary for the disciples’ lack of understanding. “Let her alone, why trouble ye her” in a contemporary language, we might say, “pipe down”, or “put a sock in it”.

b. Remember, “The laborer is worthy of his hire” Don’t rebuke the worker/s! Especially if you don’t work and don’t know what is really going on.

2. While Jesus rebuked the disciples, He commended her. “She hath done what she could:” Jesus didn’t expect more than what she was able.

a. What a wonderful defense and commendation. Would to God that we could have that said about each of us.

C. Be careful what you say, lest ye fall. Gal 6:1 “…ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Heb 4:11 “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

1. We are to labor into that rest. Not work our way to salvation or a position of power, but to grow spiritually and be sensitive to the Word of God in our lives. Trusting the Lord, having belief not unbelief.

a. We are to simply trust in the Lord and rest in Him, like Mary.

b. After any laboring we need rest and refreshing, there is no place better, than at the feet of Jesus, our eternal rest.

2. This is the message of the Lord’s admonition, “be a doer and not a hearer only” Jam 1:22

3. Be honest in deed and word, lest ye fall, let your yes be yes and you no mean no. Jam 5:12

4. They were not trying to restore, but to rebuke Mary when they were of a wrong understanding and not very spiritual. Gal 6:2 Those who are truly spiritual will always say things to edify and to restore, not tear down.

D. Jesus was pleased with Mary. Vs 6 “she hath wrought a good work on me.”

1. She was doing what needed to be done, while she was able to do it, and out of her love for the Lord.

E. She did a good work (God’s work).

1. She wasn’t in the kitchen complaining, she sat at the feet of Jesus. Lk 10:40

2. The most important thing. It is about priorities, we all have them, the question is; what or who is our priority?

3. Mary had a spiritual discernment that even the disciples didn’t have.

4. We too, can sometimes make decisions by the flesh and not according to the spirit. Let’s rightly discern and do a good work for the Lord.

F. God knows the heart. Rev 2:23 “and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to our works.”

1. He knew hers. It was pure. She loved Him and desired to show that love and give of herself the best she could.

2. He knew theirs. The were complaining, angry, foolish men, who lacked spiritual understanding, and a proper love for the Lord.

G. She was not ashamed of what she did. She didn’t apologize! 1Pet 3:16 Don’t apologize for doing right. “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” Let others be ashamed, you just do right, and you don’t have to be.

1. She suffered ridicule for her faith, love and sensitivity to the Lord.

2. Even among Christians, but, Mary wasn’t embarrassed or apologetic, she didn’t need to be, neither should we.

a. 1Pet 4:16 “Yet of any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

b. We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation. Rom 1:16 Because of her faith, discernment, and actions.

H. She was remembered. Vs 9 With an everlasting testimony/memorial. Here we are today, still recounting what she did and what the others did not do.

1. When or if we live righteous lives at the feet of Jesus, we too will be remembered. How many of you can look back on your Mother or Father or someone in your life who loved the Lord and was an inspiration and example for you, and still may be.

a. Timothy had his grandmother and mother who brought him up in faith and the Word. 2Tim 1:5

CLOSING: “She hath done what she could” Many people today, including myself, can do only limited works, because of ignorance, limited resources & ability or other hindrances, but we can do something. We are to be people of action, not just in our temporal daily living, but in our spiritual living as well. Whoever you are, you can do something, doing your best, giving your all, and then you can know and say in your heart, “I have done what I could”. The Lord was pleased with Mary, He will be with you and He won’t forget! It is in His record books.

Folks as you all already know, it is time for me to step down, not out. B/c I have come to the place where I feel the necessity to turn over the responsibility of this church into the capable hands of Pastor Walker, passing the baton, so to speak. Like Mary I have done what I can with what God has given me to the best of my ability. New leadership is a necessary part of church growth, new or fresh ideas. I am stepping down before I can hinder the church I love dearly. New leadership will be different in some things, but different is not bad just different. Thank you all for loving me in spite of me, God has blessed me so these many years. I love you all and will be praying for you all.