(Mark 14:3–9)
On the inside cover of my grandfather’s Bible, which sits in my office, it reads: “Presented to Philip S. Barker Jr. by Emmanuel Faith Community Church Sunday School, July 1941.”
That inscription tells a story — a story of faith rooted in a young man’s life before he joined the Navy in World War II. I keep that Bible as a reminder of my Grandpa, but also of the heritage of faith I come from, which is something deeply special to me. His faith and his Bible are part of my own story, helping me take step after step with Jesus. Every time I see it, I’m reminded to hold on to God’s Word, to obey even when it’s tough, and to honor Jesus above all else.
In Mark 14:3–9, we see another story of faith — one that has inspired generations of believers to honor and prioritize Jesus, even when it’s costly. Imagine being in that room. You hear the sound of the jar breaking, smell the perfume filling the air, and sense the tension as voices begin to rise. Some people are shocked. Others are angry. But one woman quietly does something unforgettable — she anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. Whether she fully understood what she was doing or not, her act became part of the greater Gospel story. A simple act of devotion turned into something eternal.
In verse 8, Jesus says something simple and profound:
“She did what she could.”
We aren’t told much about her. We don’t know her background or how long she had followed Jesus. But what we do see is a heart that loves Him. She wasn’t worried about what others thought. She wasn’t counting the cost. She didn’t hesitate to honor her Savior.
This is what stands out to me — a simple story reminding us that faithfulness isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing what we can with love and devotion. Are we willing to honor Jesus even when others might not understand? Even when it costs us something — time, comfort, reputation, or resources? Her story has been told for thousands of years because she placed honoring Jesus above all else.
Will you let that be part of your story too?
Jeremy Johnson