Mark wrote: ‘A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume…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…and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly. ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus…‘She has done a beautiful thing …The poor you will always have with you…But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you… wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her’’ (Mark 14:3-9 NIV).

Joseph of Arimathea brought a hundred pounds of ointment to embalm Jesus after He was dead, but there isn't a single word of praise about it in the Bible. This woman brought one pound of ointment and poured it on Him while He was still living, and Jesus pointed out two things:

a) ‘She did what she could.’ Acts of kindness are usually not about doing great things, but about doing small things with great love;

b) ‘What she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’ What will you be remembered for, a life of service or self-centredness?

If you think good things about someone, tell them. Go out of your way to fill their lives with joy while there’s still time. Those expressions of appreciation, those words of forgiveness, that special gift you’ve had in mind, give it while you can. Don’t keep your love in a jar!

What Now?

See how many times you can give someone a word of encouragement, do something kind for someone, or share a little joy with a friend today.