Day 27 — A Beautiful Deed

“But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.’”

— Mark 14:6 (BSB)

Just a few days before Jesus died, He was eating dinner at a house in a village called Bethany. Suddenly a woman came in carrying an alabaster jar, a beautiful stone bottle, full of very expensive perfume. It was worth about a whole year’s wages!

And she broke the jar and poured all of the perfume on Jesus’ head.

The whole room filled with the sweet smell. But some of the people at dinner were upset. “Why this waste of perfume?” they said. “It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

Can you imagine how she felt? She had given something so precious, and people were criticizing her in front of everyone.

But Jesus stood up for her. “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.”

Jesus said her gift was beautiful. Then He said something amazing: “Wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Mark 14:9). And He was right! Here we are, two thousand years later, still telling her story.

Why was her gift so beautiful to Jesus? Because it came from a heart full of love. She didn’t hold anything back. She gave her very best, not caring what anyone else thought.

That’s what worship is: giving God your very best, because you love Him.

What could you “pour out” for Jesus? Maybe it’s your time, your talents or your voice. Maybe it’s something you love to do: singing, drawing, dancing, writing, playing an instrument or helping others. Maybe it’s something you own that could bless someone. When you give it to Him with a heart of love, it’s a beautiful deed.

Some people might not understand. Some might even criticize you. But Jesus sees your heart. And He calls it beautiful.

Think about it: What’s something precious you could give to Jesus as an act of love?

Try this: Do something today as a “beautiful deed” for Jesus. Sing Him a song, make something for Him, or give something away in His name.

Dear Jesus, I want to love You like the woman with the perfume. Help me give You my very best, holding nothing back. Thank You that You see my heart, and that You call my gifts of love beautiful. In Your name, Amen.