Have You Done What You Could?

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Last Updated on Monday, 09 July 2012 07:23

Published on Monday, 09 July 2012 00:00

Written by Patrick Swayne

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A couple of years ago in the United States, a monument was erected on the Washington Mall to honor the lives of those who fought and died in World War II. This monument features a wall of golden stars, representing the lives of American servicemen lost in battle. Similar monuments stand all over Washington D.C., both to soldiers and to leaders, to remind the American public of the great sacrifices that it took for this country to exist and to remind those who most notably work in Washington D.C. – the lawmakers and rulers of the United States – that their work is of great and grave importance. A similar monument stands in the Bible to all those who open its pages – a monument to a woman who, quite simply, did “what she could” (Mark 14:8).

Some 2000 years ago, as the feast of the Passover neared, Christ and his disciples entered the house of Simon the leper, to enjoy a supper before they would enter Jerusalem for the last time together (Mark 14:3). Already, the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a plan to put Christ to death (Mark 14:1); but for now, Jesus could enjoy the meal with his closest friends. Among these was a woman who was very dear to his heart named Mary (John 12:3). As Martha was busy making preparations for the meal, Mary took it upon herself to give a very special gift to the Lord. The text describes her offering as “a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly,” which was contained in an alabaster box (John 12:3; Mark 14:3).

It was obviously a great sacrifice for her to offer something so costly, for Christ had few friends among the affluent – being that he was sent to the poor, and received generally among the common people (Luke 4:18, 21; Mark 12:37). Mary did not do as the rich individuals did recorded in the account of the widows mite (Mark 12:41-44) – giving only of the excess of her riches. Instead, she did as the widow and gave her richest possession – otherwise, Judas would not have been so concerned, for there would have been other things for her to give (and for him to steal) (John 12:4-6). Yet, the gift was by no means the largest given in the Bible – the queen of Sheba, for instance, presented Solomon with “an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones” – in fact, as far as spices alone were concerned, “there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon” (1 Kings 10:10). Mary’s gift was not the largest in value, size, or any standard of worldly measurement – but of it Christ said, “she hath done what she could,” working “a good work” upon Him (Mark 14:8; Matthew 26:10).

A Christian might be tempted to think that his own meager contribution to the cause of Christ is nothing in light of the worldly standards of riches and deeds. However, no gift or service, if given or done with the proper attitude, in an appropriate way, and to the greatest extent of the presenter or performer, is small in the eyes of the Lord. Because Mary gave her best in serving the Lord, her name will be spoken “wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world” (Mark 14:9). Those who obey the Lord, and in doing so give their best, have a memorial just as great as hers – the saved are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27). The woman received her memorial because she did what she could – the question must be asked, have you?

 

Patrick Swayne was married to Chantelle Marie (Herd) in 2009. Patrick began preaching first as a part time minister and then as a full time minister in the state of Tennessee (2003-2007). He was serving as a minister in Australia, working primarily with the Church Street church of Christ in Melbourne, Australia (2008-2012). He has received formal training from Memphis School of Preaching (class of 2005), Walters State Community College (A.S.), and Amridge University (B.A.). He is currently doing post graduate work at Freed Hardeman University. He counts himself richly blessed by the Lord.