The Poor You Have with You Always - Mark 14:7

Mark wrote how Jesus, “being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble you her? she has wrought a good work on me”, and in chapter fourteen and verse seven of his book, Mark shared how Jesus says, “you have the poor with you always … but me you have not always”, where we read:

For you have the poor with you always, and whensoever you will you may do them good:

but me you have not always.

The verse reads, “For you have the poor with you always, and whensoever you will you may do them good:” Mark began with the words, “for you have the poor” or “because, since and on account that there will exist people who are reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms and destitute of wealth, influence, position and honor” “with you always” which means “alongside people at all times”, “and whensoever” or “and at whatever time and moment” “you will” which means “the indignant ones desire and wish” “you may do them good” or “the indignant one have opportunity to perform, cause, bring forth and show the poor wellness, fare well and prosperity”. Mark shared how Jesus directed His words toward those who were indignant as He reminded they that “poor” people would always be with them, and they have any time they want to “do good” to them.

The verse continues, “ but me you have not always.” Mark added the words, “but me” which means “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding Jesus Himself” “you have not always” or “the indignant ones would not have opportunity to perform, cause, bring forth and show the poor wellness, fare well and prosperity”. Mark shared how Jesus said He would not “always” be with them.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus continued His defense of this woman by declaring the perpetuity of the “poor” and the opportunity to “serve” them any time they desired. He also reminded them that He would not “always” be with them, and because of this, the woman “pouring out” her offering upon Him was a glorious act. Those who yield their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” will find themselves blessed when they make sacrifices to Him. May all who read these words understand, believe and sacrifice.

Next time we see Mark share how Jesus says, “she has done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".