Mary of Bethany – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

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.”

She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. (Luke 10:39)

Reading about Mary’s heart always touches me. But by chance, I was praying through Psalm 81 today, and came upon these words.

I am the Lord your God…Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10)

Martha was too busy to receive Jesus’ words. (40-41)

The expert in the law tried to find ways to escape them. (29)

But Mary had a mouth open wide to Jesus’ words. And Jesus filled it.

I don’t know about you, but I want what Mary had. A mouth wide open to the words of Jesus. And more importantly, a heart that’s receptive to them.

How sweet your word is to my taste—
sweeter than honey in my mouth. (Psalm 119:103)