August 17

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as 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. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ”Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.“ And they rebuked her harshly. ”Leave her alone,“ said Jesus. ”Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me!" — Mark 14:3-6

Usefulness is not the only test. Acts may be beautiful in Christ’s sight, even though they do not seem to be immediately helpful to others. Mary’s deed fed no poor, relieved no sick, clothed no shivering child–and yet Jesus commended it. He is pleased when offerings are made from love to Him, even though the things offered may not be necessary to His work.

We may not measure all our services to Christ, by the standard of direct helpfulness to others. Mary’s ointment, spilled over Christ’s head and feet, was not a really useful ministry, and yet it was good and beautiful in Christ’s sight. What shall we say of the loveliness which God lavishes everywhere in nature? Does the beauty of the flowers, of the skies–feed the hunger of the poor? Evidently it was Mary’s love for Christ which pleased him, and made her deed beautiful. She had indeed wrought a good work on Him, one that blessed Him; for in the great sorrow of His heart as He drew near His cross, nothing could so strengthen Him, as love! It made Him stronger for the journey to His cross! Likewise, nothing else that we can give another, will be such a blessing, as love.