Fulfilling God's Will: Mark 14:6-9

Our efforts should be focused on fulfilling God’s will.  He knows what is best for us.  His plans are the plans that will make a difference in life.  When we pursue God’s will, our life will have meaning and purpose.

Jesus weighs in on the woman’s gift.  In His words, Jesus says nothing about the expense of the gift.  Instead, Jesus identifies two important dynamics to the woman’s action.

First, Jesus notes that the offering was for Him.  It was received by Him personally.  It was meant so Jesus would understand the gratefulness the woman has regarding Jesus’ presence in her life.  She was no doubt following the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Because of this, Jesus receives the gift and welcomes the woman’s use of the oil.

Second, Jesus mentions His upcoming burial.  It becomes a teaching moment to remind His disciples what He’d already taught.  He was going to be arrested, tried, and crucified.  He will be buried.  The woman has begun that process.  Her act allows Jesus to reteach His disciples about God’s plan for salvation.

Jesus receives the woman’s gift for these reasons.  He completely passes on judging the cost of the gift.  Sure, the oil was expensive, but it was for Jesus.  It helped Him further God’s plan.   There was nothing wrong with her gift or the expense.

These two dynamics are great takeaways when it comes to resources and expenses.  We should give gifts to Jesus, but it is a little harder for us to accomplish this in the same way as the woman.  We cannot anoint Him personally.  We cannot lavishly pour out our appreciation for His influence upon our life because He isn’t physically present to receive the gift.

The second dynamic is easier to apply.  We should be about fulfilling the will of God.  If we do something – even something that seems lavish to others – but it furthers the will of God in obedience to Him, then we have done well.  We don’t have to be lavish in our obedience, but we should not feel guilty if we are generous in our response to God’s calling in our life.  Furthering God’s will in a manner that pleases God is good.  If God is pleased, we have done well.

Here is where the gray areas appear.  Here is where the debate happens.  How do we know we are fulfilling God’s will?  Sometimes that is an easy determination, sometimes not so easy.

We can conclude something concrete from this story.  God will call us to action.  When we act, people will judge our actions.  When the debate happens, our defense is in how our action furthers the will of God.  Our efforts should be focused on fulfilling God’s will.