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TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: Day 14
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"She has done what she could, and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory." Mar_14:8-9
Pious women are set forth in the word of God, in a very pleasing light. Among those who were devoted to the Savior during His sojourn upon earth, a prominent place is assigned to certain pious women. Who was it that ministered to Him of their substance? Who was it that sat at His feet, and received with eagerness, the gracious words which fell from His lips? Who was it that washed His blessed feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of their head? Who was it that followed Him wherever he went, through evil and good report? Who was it that attended Him in His dying moments, when His disciples had forsaken Him and fled? Who was it that showed such anxious concern about His precious bodily remains, after He had bowed His head and given up the Spirit? These questions, to which only one reply can be given, reflect no little credit upon the softer gender, and the respect they paid to the Savior should lead us to give due honor to them. Of woman it is said—
"She ne'er with traitorous kiss her Savior stung,
Nor thrice denied him with a lying tongue:
She, when apostles shrank, could danger brave,
Last at his cross—and earliest at His grave!"
Of the many striking testimonies contained in the gospel narratives concerning women, that which is given of Mary in the words before us, is not the least interesting or instructive. It was not much that she could do—but she did what she could! She could not stem the prejudices of the people; she could not silence the clamors of the priests; she could not prevent the base treachery of Judas; she could not rescue her Lord from the custody of the guards; she could not protect Him from the cruelty of Herod; she could not save Him from the ignominy of the cross; she could not pull out one thorn from the crown which pierced His sacred brow; she could not remove nor lighten the load which sunk Him down to death. But what she could do—she did; she anointed His head with her costly ointment, and thus paid Him the highest tribute of her reverence and love.
We are to remember, that it is not the total amount of what we do—which God looks at—but rather its proportionate or relative amount. Solomon, for example, built a house for Him, which was the wonder of the world. Such was his offering to that great and glorious Being, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain; an offering which casts that of Mary, when viewed in its intrinsic value, completely into the shade. She, again, with her precious ointment, very costly as it is called, far outdid the poor widow, with her two mites, which made a penny. But in God's great register—the three are set down at the same valuation! Solomon did what he could; Mary did what she could; the widow did what she could. To Him they were alike fragrant, and were equally accepted by Him. O let us aspire after the honor of doing in connection with the Savior's cause—what we can! The poorest among us—can do that! The highest archangel that stands before the everlasting throne—can do no more!
"If the willingness is there," says the apostle, "the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." "O Lord, grant me that willing heart—a heart prepared to serve You to the utmost extent of my ability, limited though it be. You do not despise the day of small things—but have often employed the feeblest means and the most insignificant instruments, for the accomplishment of Your vast designs—that no flesh should glory in Your presence. Keep me from being an unprofitable servant; and, remembering that You are not a hard master, may I be stimulated and encouraged by the hope of hearing from Your lips those gracious words—You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter into the joy of Your Lord!"
Pious women are set forth in the word of God, in a very pleasing light. Among those who were devoted to the Savior during His sojourn upon earth, a prominent place is assigned to certain pious women. Who was it that ministered to Him of their substance? Who was it that sat at His feet, and received with eagerness, the gracious words which fell from His lips? Who was it that washed His blessed feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of their head? Who was it that followed Him wherever he went, through evil and good report? Who was it that attended Him in His dying moments, when His disciples had forsaken Him and fled? Who was it that showed such anxious concern about His precious bodily remains, after He had bowed His head and given up the Spirit? These questions, to which only one reply can be given, reflect no little credit upon the softer gender, and the respect they paid to the Savior should lead us to give due honor to them. Of woman it is said—
"She ne'er with traitorous kiss her Savior stung,
Nor thrice denied him with a lying tongue:
She, when apostles shrank, could danger brave,
Last at his cross—and earliest at His grave!"
Of the many striking testimonies contained in the gospel narratives concerning women, that which is given of Mary in the words before us, is not the least interesting or instructive. It was not much that she could do—but she did what she could! She could not stem the prejudices of the people; she could not silence the clamors of the priests; she could not prevent the base treachery of Judas; she could not rescue her Lord from the custody of the guards; she could not protect Him from the cruelty of Herod; she could not save Him from the ignominy of the cross; she could not pull out one thorn from the crown which pierced His sacred brow; she could not remove nor lighten the load which sunk Him down to death. But what she could do—she did; she anointed His head with her costly ointment, and thus paid Him the highest tribute of her reverence and love.
We are to remember, that it is not the total amount of what we do—which God looks at—but rather its proportionate or relative amount. Solomon, for example, built a house for Him, which was the wonder of the world. Such was his offering to that great and glorious Being, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain; an offering which casts that of Mary, when viewed in its intrinsic value, completely into the shade. She, again, with her precious ointment, very costly as it is called, far outdid the poor widow, with her two mites, which made a penny. But in God's great register—the three are set down at the same valuation! Solomon did what he could; Mary did what she could; the widow did what she could. To Him they were alike fragrant, and were equally accepted by Him. O let us aspire after the honor of doing in connection with the Savior's cause—what we can! The poorest among us—can do that! The highest archangel that stands before the everlasting throne—can do no more!
"If the willingness is there," says the apostle, "the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." "O Lord, grant me that willing heart—a heart prepared to serve You to the utmost extent of my ability, limited though it be. You do not despise the day of small things—but have often employed the feeblest means and the most insignificant instruments, for the accomplishment of Your vast designs—that no flesh should glory in Your presence. Keep me from being an unprofitable servant; and, remembering that You are not a hard master, may I be stimulated and encouraged by the hope of hearing from Your lips those gracious words—You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter into the joy of Your Lord!"