What Jesus Did! 'Only for a Little While!' — Mark 14:7-8

Friday, October 11, 2024

[After people said the money for the expensive perfume the woman poured on Jesus' head should have gone to the poor, he said,] "You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time."
— Mark 14:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

So often we have people we love dearly and greatly respect but we don't praise, honor, or thank them until after they are dead. This story of the woman's expensive gift to Jesus should be a reminder that we shouldn't wait till people are dead to give them the thanks they deserve. Let's thank others and honor them in ways that are appropriate for their service.

Today's Prayer

Father, I know there are many people in my life who have blessed me. Please forgive me for not being more affirming and appreciative to them. Help me see the opportunities I have to thank and honor people, always to your glory, before their time on earth is ended. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

What She Could
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Are you trying to do too much or are you doing what you can? Sometimes we try too hard and too much when we should simply be doing what we can.
I Want to Be Like Her
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Let's move beyond remembering her story; let's also commit to being like her in these four ways. Phil Ware continues his reflections in the Gospels as he seeks to call us to continue pursuing Jesus so that we can be JesuShaped.
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Regardless of our reasons in the past, let’s make sure we honor the Lord’s wishes in this circumstance and others like it. Phil Ware continues his series of messages of how Jesus values women, focusing this week on the loving and extravagant gift of the unnamed woman who broke her alabaster jar and anointed Jesus with expensive perfume.
The Least of These?
Article by Bill Sherrill
Who does Jesus value most? We will be judged by how we cared for the least, the left out, and the lonely.
See All 6 Related Resources about Mark 14:7-8

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 14:7-8 NLT — "You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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