Recently, Brother Joe Spivy a minister and mentor near where I live shared a folder of article he wrote while undergoing medical treatments. He said I was free to use them. I thought this one was wonderful and it shows Joe’s servant heart and love for God.

A Good Work

by Joe Spivy

John 12:3 extols the good work of Mary, saying, “Mary took a pound of costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.” She was criticized, as many good works are, but Christ said, “Let her alone, she has done a good work.” Even though her good work was criticized, there are some good thoughts that come from her actions.

It was a work of originality! As far as Bible history goes, this had not been done before. She dared to be different by anointing Him, as He said, “For my burial.” (Mat 26;12). How many good works have gone undone within the church simply because, “nobody ever did it that way before.”

It was a work of gratitude! Christ had raised Lazarus from the dead and blessed that family in other ways. This was her way of expressing her thanksgiving to the Lord. Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving in your heart, let your request be made to God.” (Phi 4:6). The psalmist said, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Psa 100:4). To God we must express our thankfulness, our gratitude.

It was a work of great expense! It could have sold for 300 pence (denarii) which is about 300 days of labor. Was it worth it? Christ said, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Mat 26:13). How often to ‘good works’ go undone because someone says, “it’s too expensive?”

It was a work of adequacy! In Mark 14:8 the Lord said, “She has done what she could.” Jehovah only requires what is in proportion to our ability. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 teaches us to use our ability and capability. Paul said, “if there is first a wiling mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.’ (2Co 8:12). How adequate are our works? Will we be remembered for our good works, as was Mary?