David Anguish
Mark does not even name her. Yet Jesus said that, "wherever the gospel is preached. . ., what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her" (Mark 14:9, NASB).
From Jesus' praise, we conclude that the specific service she performed was not as important as the fact that she did something to glorify him. She anointed Jesus' body for burial prior to his death, breaking her vial of costly perfume and pouring it over his head. When chastised for her waste - "this perfume might have been sold. . .and the money given to the poor" (v 5) - Jesus defended her. "Let her alone,. . .She has done a good deed to Me. . .She has done what she could" (vv 6, 8).
She has done what she could. She didn't preach at Pentecost, as Peter could. She didn't write a gospel, as John could. She wasn't a Paul, a Barnabas, a John Mark. Nor was she a Dorcas (who also did what she could). She was a woman who saw a way to honor her Lord with something she could do. And she is blessed "wherever the gospel is preached."
Several years back, Howard Snyder wrote a book called The Problem of Wineskins. One of my favorite chapters asked, "must the pastor be a superstar?" Without endorsing a concept of church leadership not found in the New Testament, its opening lines bear repeating: "Meet Pastor Jones, Superstar. He can preach, counsel, evangelize, administrate, conciliate, communicate and sometimes even integrate. He can also raise the budget. He handles Sunday morning better than any quizmaster on weekday TV. He is better with words than most political candidates. As a scholar he surpasses many seminary professors. No church social function would be complete without him. His church, of course, Counts Itself Fortunate. Alas, not many churches can boast such talent" (p. 81).
It's easy to admire - and even envy - such a blessed man. But we agree with Snyder when he points out that, while such five-talent men are wonderful to have, God has never decreed that his churches must be full of such versatile folks. In fact, such churches may accomplish less than they could because the one-talent folks are hesitant to step forward to do what they can.
Many have come to stress the family imagery for the church in recent times. But an image which seems to get more attention in the New Testament is that of the body. Where some are mouths, but some are feet. Where some are eyes, but some are ears. Where some have this gift and others that one. Where not all receive the same level of notice, but where all are indispensable to the body's mission (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-31; Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 4:7-11).
Where the "superstar" mentality is allowed to flourish, many never think to just do what they can, with what they have, where they are. He can't preach like Paul, but he's an incredible one-to one communicator, so he conducts home study after home study. She'll never teach a ladies class, or even one of small children, but she can grade a World Bible School lesson and write the most beautiful teaching letter you'll ever read. He'll never give thousands to a building fund, or any other project. But he'll do what he can, with what he has. And God says - God says - that, though some might deem him a weaker body member, those who "seem to be weaker are necessary" (1 Cor. 12:22).
God neither needs not asks you to be a superstar. He simply asks that you do what you can. Diligently. With what you have. Where you are. He'll take care of the rest.