alabaster jar

She Did What She Could

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“She has done what she could, she has anointed by body beforehand for burial.” Mark 14:8 ESV

I am always amazed at how this woman, who never spoke a word, is still speaking to us today. If we were to read the story from the Gospel of John, we would learn that she was Mary, the sister of Martha, and her “beautiful act.” Was a demonstration of gratitude and worship after Jesus had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. Her older sister Martha, had started things off by inviting all their friends, cooking up a big meal and seating Jesus at the head of the table with Lazarus. The disciples of Jesus were seated around Him, and the room was filled to capacity with friends, family and curious onlookers. Then, right at the height of the festivities, when the plates were clanking, the conversation was getting loud and the scents of delicious foods wafted through the room, Mary appeared in the doorway. Of course, Martha was busy serving and was probably being warmly greeted and thanked for such a party. Few would have noticed Mary, as she quietly walked through the room towards Jesus. But when Mary arrived next to Jesus, they heard the sound of the alabaster jar she was carrying being broken open, and immediately the aroma of the spikenard perfume inside began turning heads. Next Mary pours the perfumed oil over the head of Jesus, and according to John, also over his feet. Last, and most shocking of all, Mary knelt down and began to wipe the excess perfume from the feet of Jesus with her hair. The crowd was stunned, and the disciples were scandalized, “Why was this waste made?” they demanded to know. “This could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Interestingly, we learn in other gospel accounts that Judas was the instigator of the criticism and not because he gave a fig about the poor, but because he helped himself to the offerings whenever he could. Through all the commotion and protests, Mary remained silent. Then Jesus spoke, “Leave her alone! She has done what she could! She has prepared my body beforehand for the burial.” Also, notice, that the disciples who had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain, watched Him walk on water and turn water into wine, were not doing anything to honor Him. And even though Jesus had often told them that He was going to be arrested and put to death, none of them believed it. But Mary, believed and chose to do what she could with the time that she had. Her story is still being told wherever the Gospel is proclaimed and causes me to ask. “What can I do for Jesus today?”

Listening or Hearing?

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Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus. John 12:1-3

Many years ago as we sat through an average Sunday service our pastor began to preach about the cross. First he described the terrible beating that Jesus received and then how the crown of thorns was pressed down on his head. “Next they took the nails” pastor went on, “And they drove them through His hands.” While we adults who had heard this message many times sat quietly; suddenly the stillness in the sanctuary was pierced by a tiny voice. “EEEW!” a little girl in the back cried out. The rest of us had heard the message. But in God’s eyes she was the only person actually listening to the message!

In our scripture passage today it seems that just like that little girl; only Mary seemed to be listening. Only she understood that Jesus would not be with them much longer. Jesus had told them many times that He was going to Jerusalem to die. But Mary who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet listening did something to give Jesus her best blessing while she still had time. Others people were celebrating and relaxing at the supper but Mary poured out her alabaster box of perfumed oil on the Master’s feet. Everybody listens to someone. Who you are listening to today? Filling the room we are in with the fragrance of the presence of Christ all depends on listening and then acting on the words of Jesus Christ!

There’s Still More

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The gospel account of Matthew and John differ slightly in the story of Jesus being anointed at Bethany. Matthew tells us that a woman with an alabaster box anointed his head as kings and priests were anointed in the Old Testament. In her choice of anointing this costly gift gave Jesus the highest honor and glory.

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table Matthew 26:6-7

But the story in the book of John tells us that she anointed Jesus feet.and wiped them with her hair.

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil          John 12:3

This anointing was more personal in that she saw his need to have his feet washed and her choice to lavish the perfumed oil on his feet was her act of grateful worship and an expression of pure love.

While thinking over the story of Mary’s act of giving I imagined how she might have begun with anointing Jesus’ head then seeing she still had much remaining in her jar, knelt and lavished all that remained on his feet. The momentary shock of the crowd gave way to harsh and pointed criticism. Her act of worship seemed such a waste of resources for such to them. Why there were certainly more weighty problems among the poor which could have been aided by the value of what she had in that jar.

The picture of  Mary simply waiting on her Master’s response captured my imagination and heart. Many of you may feel as Mary did, that you have given your best to glorify Him only to be shunned or criticized. Yet rather than becoming bitter or defensive you look and see that you still have more to give. He will be the one to both receive your lavish gift of worship and to defend you in His own way.  I present this simple song tonight in hopes that He will continue to be glorified through our lives and that many will be encouraged to give Him more!