The Alabaster Box

Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37 and John 11:13 each make reference to Mary and her alabaster jar. For years I identified with these accounts on the surface level of the infinite grace of God and how beautiful it was that Mary wept at his feet, never comprehending the breadth of the alabaster jar itself, until I got the revelation. In Mark 14:3-5 we see Mary with her alabaster jar which she breaks and pours the contents of oil/perfume on Jesus. We learn through the complaining of Judas that the contents of the alabaster jar was worth more than a years wages because it was made of pure spikenard. We like Mary come to Jesus with all that we have of value, ourselves. He then indwells us and becomes the costly oil. However notice that in order for the precious oil to be released the vessel had to be broken. There was no cap that screwed on, or a top that sprayed a fine mist, nor was there a stopper that could be removed so the jar could be preserved in pristine condition. That was the way the maker of the jar designed it. This is the way we are designed, we are vessels made by the hand of the Almighty God for the specific purpose of the indwelling of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. It is through trials and tribulations that we are broken and what is inside (Christ) the precious oil begins to come out. Trials and tribulations don’t come to just followers of Christ, they come to everyone. This is why we see people like Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan who have beauty, fame, and money that just seem to loose it when trials and tribulations come. Their vessels have no precious oil inside. So what happens when it is broken? What their vessel is filled with comes out! There is a place within each one of us that can only be filled by the precious Lamb of God! So no matter how many things you buy, how much money you have, drugs you do, or partners you lay down with you will always be empty! I watched an episode of a show called “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” It’s about the lives of six women who live in wealthy gated community in California. On this episode one of the women said “I have to have the designer clothes and the latest and greatest tech gadgets it’s who I am.” I looked at this woman and thought to myself this is what our nation is now, empty. I thought how sad that this woman defines herself by things , things that can be taken away from her in an instant, things that mean nothing when a tragedy occurs, things that can’t comfort you when you are broken. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not one who believes that you shouldn’t have things, I’m one who knows things shouldn’t have you! Wake up people they are just things! The bible tells us that the oil in the alabaster jar was made of pure spikenard. Spikenard or Nard is an aromatic Himalayan plant that was used for ointment. When Mary opened that jar and poured the oil on Jesus the sent must have been powerful! Have you ever known someone so broken that they reek of the oil? I have in my lifetime had the honor of knowing three people who Christ has so permeated they have a distinct smell that I don’t even believe they are aware of. One is my Pastor, Apostle Saundra Hagans, the other is an awesome man of God who is like an Uncle Apostle Joel Rudolph, and the other is a dear friend and Pastor to my husband and myself Pastor Mark Crocco. This is what we should be striving for in our lives, working 40 plus hours a week towards, not the mansion, or the fancy sports car. For the bible says seek ye first the kingdom of God and all of these things shall be added unto you, for only God can give you wealth without sorrow. So I ask you this day, what’s in your vessel, is it priceless and pure or is it filled with junk, worthless things? I say these things to you today to encourage your spirit to action, check yourself! If you find that you have lost your focus know that God is love and only wants to love not condemn you, fall back into his arms they are open wide and waiting! If you have never felt the loving arms of Jesus Christ, know that he loves you so much he suffered the cross for you and this day has been set before the forming of the earth as your day to be empty no more! Jesus has been waiting for you with arms open wide to welcome you to life everlasting! Be Blessed! ***If you would like more information about Jesus please feel free to e-mail me or call one of the churches under links ***