While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of 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 

She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 
Mark 14:8,9 

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Some people think poorly of cats, even despise them. For me though, my cat, Puffin, was my best friend. We rescued him when I was in first grade. I dressed him in doll clothes and pushed him in my doll buggy. He greeted me at the door when I came home and snuggled with me at night. Most importantly, he listened to me, especially when I was hurting. So, when we discovered several years later that his body was riddled with cancerous tumors, I was devastated. I distinctly remember offering my mother all the money I had if it could help to save his life, but it could not.   

Impending death has a way of reordering our priorities. Love compels us to want to do everything we can to save those we love, even when we can’t. Today’s Scriptures don’t say that she knew Jesus would die in a few days, but her lavish gift seems to indicate that she did, and so do Jesus’ words, “She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” She had been listening well when He told His followers as much. Unlike anyone else, she saw that Jesus was leaving, and she drew near to Him, giving Him everything she had. And perhaps what is most striking is that Jesus received her gift. When Jesus declared that what she was doing was so beautiful that she would be remembered “throughout the world,” He exchanged her helplessness for hope. No, she couldn’t save Him, but what she could do was extremely significant. Jesus said so.   

Sometimes, we want to help others so badly that we fail to realize that receiving help can also give hope. Your friend or family member may not be able to fix your problem, but when you receive what they can give, you affirm that what they can do matters. And that brings hope.   

Next Steps 

1. Consider: Are you someone who often refuses to receive help? If so, identify an area in which you will allow others to help you this week? Notice what God does with your humility.  
2. Are you reluctant to help someone because you think your efforts won’t do any good? Go ahead and do what you can! See what Jesus does with your gift.