The Alabaster Jar
Mark 14:3-9 The Passion Translation. "Now Jesus was in Bethany, in the home of Simon, a man Jesus had healed of leprosy. And as He was reclining at the table, a woman came into the house, with an alabaster flask filled with the highest quality of fragrant and expensive oil. She came to Jesus, and with a gesture of extreme devotion, she broke the flask and poured out the precious oil over his head. But some were highly indignant when they saw this, and they complained to one another, saying, "What a total waste! It could have been sold for a great sum, and the money could have benefited the poor." So they scolded her harshly. Jesus said to them, "Leave her alone! Why are you so critical of this woman? She has honored me with this beautiful act of kindness. You will always have the poor, whom you can help whenever you want, but you will not always have me. When she poured the fragrant oil over me, she was preparing my body in advance for my burial. She has done all that she could to honor me. I promise you that as this wonderful gospel spreads all over the world, the story of her lavish devotion to me will be mentioned in memory of her."
This gesture by Mary, was one of extravagance and extreme devotion to Jesus, an expression of extravagant love. This was to be followed by the greatest expression of love towards us, the shedding of the blood of our Lord and Friend, Jesus Christ. It is this love of the Father, through the blood of His Son that has created the barrier between us and all the works of Satan.
Luke 2:42, in the Garden of Gethsemane (from Greek "an oil press"), Jesus prayed "Father You are willing, remove this cup from Me – yet, not My will but Yours be done".
Is the Lord challenging you in some area of your life, to allow Him to bring transformation so that more of His glory can shine through you? I feel that is what's going on in me. Are we willing to take up our cross – the place where our will clashes with His will and purpose, to lay down our own desires, and say "Lord not my will but Yours be done".
Just like the woman with the alabaster flask, who poured out all she had, may our hearts and lives reflect worship for the One Who paid it all in full, so that we can live and power and walk in Victory.
Grace and blessings
Kath
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