While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.

Mark 14:3-8, NIV

"She did what she could." At first glance, this might not seem to be that big of a deal, but as we dig into this statement I believe we will see it is the ultimate in service to Christ. This is the second time we have come across this event  in our past few days of reading the New Testament, and we will twice more come across it in the next few days. In fact, this account is told in all four of the Gospels so it must contain something that is very important.

And it does, for doing what you can is one of the main things that defines servants of God and Christ. When you think about what you are doing - this reading through the New Testament in thirty days - you might begin to wonder if you are just wasting your time. You are not! You are doing what you can! By doing so, you are fulfilling a major part of your calling to Christ Jesus your Lord.

Like Mary (the Apostle John reveals the identity of this woman as being Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus) there will be people who will be indignant with what you are doing. They will think that you should be leaving such studies of God's Word to those more capable. As a matter of fact, there have been times in history when it was against the law to be reading the Word for yourself. In some cases, it was an offense which was punishable by death. We don't have that today, but we do have well meaning people who will be offended that you are not leaving such study to preachers and pastors and priests. But we cannot be satisfied with leaving the destiny of our immortal souls in the hands of others. We must do what we can!

By doing what you can, you will find out exactly how God wants you to come to Him. He has the only plan of salvation that works, and He reveals it plainly in His Word. Further, God reveals exactly what sin is. Men will disagree, even so called "learned men". But those who disagree with God's plan of salvation are in error, for it is God's inspired Word alone that is the standard of truth, and those who contest His judgments are clearly wrong. Again, the reason we are reading the Bible for ourselves is because we are commanded over and over to do our best, to make every effort, and to do what we can!

Isn't it thrilling to know that you are doing just that? God and Jesus want you in Heaven. They have already done Their part. They have done what they could to make Heaven accessible, and now the only part left is ours. Are you doing what you can?

Todays reading is Mark 8-14. I think that you will enjoy this reading today, and if you do your best to carefully read from these sacred texts they will bless your life in innumerable ways. May God richly bless your efforts as you continue to do what you can in His service!