Good or best?

She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Mark 14:8

Towards the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, a couple of people took actions towards Jesus that seemed appropriate to them. One, an unnamed woman, was criticized by pious people; the other, a well known disciple of Jesus, one of the Twelve, delighted the religious leaders so much that they rewarded him for his action.

The unnamed woman of Mark 14's first meal poured out very expensive perfume on Jesus' head. She could have done something good with that perfume. As the crowd suggested, she could have sold it to take care of the needy. But she chose what was best and Jesus commended her.

Before the second meal recorded in Mark 14, someone else took action. Judas Iscariot must have believed that what he was doing was good. He had been a trusted disciple from the beginning. Perhaps a Zealot, he wished to see the confrontation which would finally establish Jesus as Messiah. But that was not God's plan; it was not what was best. The religious leaders applauded and rewarded the actions of Judas. But Jesus said it would have been better if he had not been born.

I have to ask myself, "Am I doing what is good or what is best?" It is easy to gain applause for doing what is good. It feels good. It seems right at the time. Doing what is best demands sensitivity to God's direction. It requires obedience where common sense would demur. But it receives the approval of God. Good or best?