Beyond the Weekend: Road to the Cross
In Road to the Cross, Pastor Jeff Manion and other teachers look at four snapshots of the last week of Jesus’ life. We see the real pain and suffering Jesus endures. Jesus’ humanity is on full display, which should cause us to reflect upon our role in his suffering and what the cross means for us today.
Alabaster Jar
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark 14:9
Read: Mark 14:1-9
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY'S MESSAGE
Jesus is having dinner with his disciples when a woman enters the room, breaks open a bottle of extremely expensive oil, and pours it over Jesus’ head. The Gospel of John adds that this woman is Mary, the sister of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 12). The jar of oil she poured over Jesus was worth a year’s wages. The disciples were upset, saying the value of such an item should’ve been used to feed the poor. But Jesus rebukes his disciples and praises Mary. He says, “She did what she could do” (Mark 14:8a). Mary had unknowingly anointed Jesus for his burial.
Mary couldn’t ease the political tension or stop the ensuing betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. But she could do this. This is a powerful principle for us. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the pain and trouble in the world. But just because we can’t fix everything doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything. Like Mary, we should just do what we can. We should take the opportunity to do for one what we would love to do for many.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
What is one tangible need you can meet today? Like Mary, take action. We don’t know the ramifications of our acts of service—the outcome is up to God. However, it is in our power to “do what we can.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
