She Did What She Could

Scripture Focus: Mark 14:3–9 (NIV)

“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… ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me… She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’”

I love how simple and profound Jesus’ words are: “She did what she could.”

Mary of Bethany may not have had influence, position, or power—but she had a jar of costly perfume. And when the moment came, she broke it open and poured it all out on Jesus.

The people around her didn’t understand. They scoffed. They called it wasteful. They judged her offering. But Jesus called it beautiful. He saw her heart, received her worship, and promised her story would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. And here we are, two thousand years later, still talking about her!

Her act of worship wasn’t about how much the perfume was worth—it was about the worthiness of the One she poured it on.

What’s in Your Alabaster Jar?

I can’t help but ask myself: what is my alabaster jar? What do I hold close? Whether it is my time, resources, dreams, or gifts, what is Jesus is inviting me to place fully in His hands?

Sometimes obedience feels extravagant. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to the world. Sometimes it costs us something we’d rather keep for ourselves. And sometimes—just like Mary—it brings criticism from people who don’t understand.

But Jesus does. He sees. He knows. And He calls it beautiful.

A Gentle Reminder

Jesus didn’t say, “She did everything.” He said, “She did what she could.”

That’s freedom for us today. He isn’t asking for perfection. He isn’t measuring our offering against someone else’s. He’s simply asking for what’s in our hands—for us to pour out what we can, in love, right now.

And when we do, it’s enough. More than enough.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, help me see what I’m holding back from You. Show me my alabaster jar, and give me courage to break it open. Even if no one else notices, let me rest in the truth that You do—and You call it beautiful. Amen.

💜 She did what she could. May that be the legacy of our lives too—not perfection, not applause, but poured-out worship for the One who pours into us.