Hello ,
I would encourage you to go to the following link, and listen to the song that is there while you read the rest of this devotional message. Take a moment to go there now and really listen while you read the remainder of this e-mail: Alabaster Box
The scriptures are clear that those who are forgiven much, love much. The story in our scripture reading today aptly describes such a situation happening in the
days of Jesus.
Jesus had come to the home of Simon, who was a Pharisee. Simon had been healed of leprosy by Jesus, and associated himself with Christ. In middle of the dinner party that Simon had planned for Jesus, something unexpected happens. In my mind, this is one of the most beautiful stories
in all of the Bible.
According to the Gospel of John, Martha (a friend of Christ's,) was serving the dinner. Lazarus, her brother, sat at a table with Christ. Their sister Mary did something very socially inappropriate in the host's opinion.
While all of the guests were sitting at the tables, Mary approached Christ and began to wash His feet, not only with the spike-nard perfume that was in the alabaster box, but also with her tears. It may seem strange to us, but in times of antiquity, women often kept bottles of tears that they had cried. For a small glimpse into this practice, (and to see a picture of a
tear bottle, please check out this link.)
All the pain, all the struggle, all the tears that were brought on by Mary's sins, addictions, and a life of untold pain were poured out on the feet of Jesus as He sat in Simon's home. These
tears, and amazingly expensive perfume (spike-nard,) were lavished on the feet of Christ, and the entire room tooks notice because of the pungent odor that spike-nard possesses.
Mary didn't just dab a little perfume on Jesus. She used enough to create a scene. This alabaster box, filled with the precious "nard,"
(spike-nard) could have brought 300 denarii (according to the Gospel of Mark.) A denarius was often equal to a day's wages in Christ's time. Do the math, and if you're anything like me you begin to ponder where she could have gotten money like that to spend on perfume.
Many students of the scriptures believe that
she was a prostitute, and that Simon the Pharisee had helped her into the business. The ugliness of sin, and it's heart-rending pain is out in the open as this known "sinner" woman is bending low at Christ's table; weeping, anointing, and kissing his feet.
This scene puts a lump in my throat every time I read it. It
reminds me of how much I owe Christ, and of how cruel some so-called "holy people" can be towards someone that they perceive as lower than themselves.
Jesus brings it all full-circle with those that are attending the party. I would have loved to have been there to witness it.
If you have a chance today, go read the various accounts of this story. I've shared one scriptural link, but I'd like to challenge you to get your Bible out and look for the others.
As you read these accounts for yourself, imagine what the
scene must have been like, and recall a time when you were so incredibly grateful for the forgiveness that Jesus gave to you. I hope that you'll be blessed by this exercise.
Have a great day and God bless!
