Singled Out

Spotlight on the Mary of Luke chapter 10, Matthew 26 and Mark 14 and John 12

Jesus would go to the cross soon. Too soon. He often stayed at Mary and Martha and their brother's house in Bethany. Matthew 26 says Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon, and Mary walks in with an expensive alabaster vial of fragrant oil and she poured it on Jesus' head as He was reclining at the table. The disciples were indignant at the waste. Jesus' used the word you'd use for a snorting horse---and ask the disciples, why do you snort at her? She has done a good deed to Me. The poor you will have with you always, but you do not always have ME. By pouring this oil on My body, He said, she has prepared Me for burial. I assure you: whenever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be be spoken in memory of her.

She has done what she could (see the Mark 14 account)

In the John chapter 12 account, this seems to be the straw that breaks Judas Iscariot's back. This sends him over the edge, and out to betray Jesus.

LET HER ALONE, Jesus says.

When read in context, Matthew 25 deals with giving help and aid to the poor, the sick, the thirsty. But, Mary got to do something extravagant. And only of her is it said: SHE HAS DONE A GOOD DEED TO ME.

How do we do a good deed to Jesus? Again, read Matthew chapter 25

Jesus defended this woman. She had seen Jesus raise her brother from the dead. She knew who He was. But, she also knew He was the Lamb. And that Jesus was going to have to suffer and die.


To this God-given tune in my head I sing:

She has done what she could
She has done a good deed to Me.
Why do you worry, why do you fume and fuss at her?
She has done what she could.

The poor you will have with you always,
But you won't always have Me.
What she has done will be spoken in memory of her.
In memory of her.

Wherever the gospel is preached
Throughout the whole, wide world
what she has done will be spoken
in memory of her.
In memory of her.

She has done what she could.
She has done a good deed to Me
Why do you worry, why do you fume and fuss at her
She has done what she could
She has done what she would.


This was not the virgin Mary. I am not Catholic. I am not trying to glorify women or take the focus off of Christ. But, know that one day, one woman was singled out, and she did something brave and beautiful. With tears in her eyes, and a pure heart, a heart that was breaking, she expressed her love in a very special, unique way. She poured out on His head some very expensive perfumed oil from an alabaster jar. No one told her to. She did not ask permission. She certainly did not get the approval of Jesus friends and followers. She did something extraordinary. And this gift, like the widow's mite, was recorded forever, and noticed by the Creator Savior Jesus Christ.

What can we give back to God? It all belongs to Him, anyway. He made everything. Created everything. Set history in motion. He has a plan, and desires our love, our worship, but He does not force us to give it. We certainly are happier creatures when we do, but we can only marvel, as we read these accounts of a lady who Jesus proclaimed---look at her ! She got it !

I guess this is one of my favorite stories, and favorite women in the Bible because she received what I want---to hear Jesus say of me, she has done a good deed to Me. She has done what she could.