What Jesus asks of us

She has done what she could… (Mark 14:8)

I was just thinking on those words.

Mary of Bethany, Lazarus’ sister, couldn’t do much for Jesus.

She couldn’t defend him against his enemies.

She couldn’t stand up for him in his trial.

She could do nothing to prevent his death.

But she did what she could.

She didn’t even realize what she was doing: preparing Jesus’ body for burial.

All she knew was that she loved Jesus and was full of gratitude for what he had done for Lazarus. (John 11-12)

And so she did what she could.

That’s all Jesus asks of us.

Not to do what we can’t.

Not to do what others say we should.

But out of our love for Jesus and our gratitude towards him, to do what we can to serve him.

And ultimately, that’s what I want Jesus to say of me.

“Bruce did what he could.”