Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 03, 2022: SOAP #4718: Job 25; Mark 13-14

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 14:8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.

OBSERVATION:  This lady had a great appreciation for Jesus and while he was reclining at a dinner table in a wealthy home in which he was a guest, she broke open a jar of very expensive perfume and poured it over his head.  As the odor filled the room everyone present became aware of what happened, and this lady was criticized for the “waste.”  It could have been sold and the money given to the poor.  But Jesus defended her.  “She did what she could.” He said she did it in preparation for his burial.  In a few days some ladies would be arising early to go to a tomb to anoint the dead body of Jesus, but he would already be raised to life.  Only this lady had the privilege of serving Jesus in this way.

The issue was not the monetary value of the perfume, but to whom it belonged.  It was her perfume.  It was valuable to her.  It was hers to give.  She used it for His pleasure.  She did what she could.  

APPLICATION: In so many of the miracles in the Bible we see both man’s part and God’s part.  The miracles cannot be understood as coming about because of man’s part — only because of God’s part.  Man’s part always came before God’s part.  And man’s part was always something that he could do.  “She did what she could.”

My part is always something I can do!  I can pray.  I can reach out and touch in Jesus’ name.  I can give what I have.  God is not depending on my part to be the answer to the problem.  My part is an expression of faith that He will do His part!   Doing what I can brings pleasure to Him! 

PRAYER:   Lord, I do what is possible for me to do, all the while trusting you to do what is possible for you to do. You get the glory; I get the joy of participation.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon