Mark 14:7
“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.”
What does Mark 14:7 mean?
Jesus speaks these words when someone criticizes a woman for pouring expensive perfume on him, suggesting the money should have gone to the poor instead. He's not dismissing care for the poor, but rather pointing out that this particular moment with him is fleeting and unrepeatable, while opportunities to help others will always exist. There's both tenderness and realism in what he's saying. He's honoring her instinct to give generously in this moment, while also gently reminding everyone that his physical presence with them won't last forever. It's an invitation to not miss what's right in front of you while you have it, and to recognize that different seasons call for different responses. For those of us today, this might speak to the importance of showing up fully for the people and moments we're given, while still maintaining a heart toward the vulnerable and overlooked. Both matter. Jesus isn't creating an either-or choice, but rather suggesting that presence itself can be a profound form of care.