John 21:16

Mary wanted it to be known that this act of hers was done for Him exclusively. Just for Him, without thought of self, or anything else. Martha was serving, but it was not exclusively for Him. It might be in His honor, but it was done for others also. Simon might entertain, but others were included in the entertainment also. What Mary did was for Him alone.

“When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman?” (Matthew 26:10 KJV). Jesus understood!

When I have sadly misunderstood Him? (John 10:17.) It is possible to know all about doctrine and yet not know Jesus. The soul is in danger when knowledge of doctrine outsteps intimate touch with Jesus. Why was Mary weeping? Doctrine was no more to Mary than the grass under her feet. Any Pharisee could have made a fool of Mary doctrinally, but one thing they could not ridicule out of her was the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her; yet His blessings were nothing in comparison to Himself. Mary "saw Jesus standing and knew not that it was Jesus . . ;" immediately she heard the voice, she knew she had a past history with the One who spoke. "Master!"

When I have stubbornly doubted? (John 10:27.) Have I been doubting something about Jesus - an experience to which others testify but which I have not had? The other disciples told Thomas that they had seen Jesus, but Thomas doubted - "Except I shal see . . , I wil not believe." Thomas needed the personal touch of Jesus. When His touches come, or how they come, we do not know; but when they do come they are indescribably precious. "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus did not say - Make converts to your way of thinking, but look after My sheep, see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Me.

We count as service what we do in the way of Christian work; Jesus Christ calls service what we are to Him, not what we do for Him.