To your own Master, you stand or fall

Mark 14:1-11

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. 

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. 

But you will not always have me. 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.”

This passage from Mark 14 was preached in my Church on 12 February 2017. It is a very familiar passage as my Pastor would preach on this at least once a year. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stories in the Gospels, as we hear of such beautiful commendations Jesus said of someone. Indeed, it is one of my favourite Bible passages. Often times, I hope that I will be able to do something in my lifetime that Christ can remember and commend me for, just like Mary. 

On this day (before attending the afternoon worship service), I received some discouraging news that there was someone who did not seem very pleased about my entry to a particular ministry. I was given this opportunity to serve as a stand-in, because the sister-in-charge will be giving birth to her first child soon. My heart sank to hear of such unpleasant remarks and I felt really discouraged to the point of tears. 

Like Mary, I just wanted to answer the call of God to serve Him. It was God who called me. I did not volunteer to take up the role. I just knew God had laid upon my heart I needed to stand-in to serve Him, despite my already hectic and busy schedule. Taking up this one more area of ministry was a test of my tenacity for time. I was simply obeying the call of God, hence receiving such a disheartening news was a rather great blow to me. 

But in that particular sermon on Feb 12, God showed me one important truth as servants of God who choose to do His will --- When we sincerely serve the Lord, there will always be critics around us. 

Mary was criticized by Judas for wasting the jar of pure nard, pouring it out freely on Jesus' feet instead of helping the poor.  Nevertheless, Mary focused on doing what she knew she needed to do for Jesus Christ --- anoint Him with oil before His burial. 

She remained completely silent throughout and it was the Lord Jesus who defended her. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. 

Mary gave her best and her all to Christ and was not looking to the disciple's approval or seeking the opinion of others for what she did. She did all she could (for Jesus Christ alone). She did not pre-announce her intention, neither did she choose to explain her actions after doing it. She simply did it for Christ. 

Charles Spurgeon wrote, 

"You should rise above such idle dependence upon man's opinion; what matters it to you what your fellow-servant thinks? To your own Master you stand or fall. If you've done a good thing, do it again."

Mary sat at Jesus' feet for long hours, hearing His teachings and she caught His words and what He was going to do for them. She even took hold of the kairos (means 'perfect') timing of God, to do such a beautiful act for Jesus. 

That lesson made me realised, there'll always be "Judases" around us when we want to serve the Lord. Critics will tell us we are doing it wrong. Satan will instigate people close to us to discourage us from fulfilling the will of God. But we have a God who sees through the hearts of men, who sees all things and knows all things.  

During Quiet Time on 13 Feb 2017, God spoke to me literally as I read the day's comments in my devotional guide:

"God does not give up on those He has chosen, even when they want to give up on Him!"

Then on 14 Feb 2017, God continues with His assurance: 

"Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body... Fear God...so don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." (Luke 12:4-5, 7)

I am learning that nothing needs to be important except the pleasure of my Master and Lord. The opinions of man should not stand or matter to me when I want to serve my Master, Lord Jesus.  It is only His pleasure, His Will, His delight that shall be my call. 

Thank you, dear Lord Jesus. May it be so in my life.