The Word of the Lord

The Word of the Lord

MARY’S ALABASTER BOX

by Barbara Maddox

We all want to help people live and be able to achieve their best; but how important it is when we also touch their life to help them face their death. This is what Mary, the sister of Lazarus (one whom Jesus raised from the dead) and Martha did for Jesus.

The winds of adversity had been blowing around Jesus and He knew His time was short. He had given parables and plain speech of His approaching death to the disciples but it was as though they could not apprehend His speech. Perhaps it was too distressing to think about and could not be because He had come to save them.

It was approaching time for the feast of the Passover. Jesus, His disciples, Simon, a leper, and others were in Bethany together for a meal. Those gathered were enjoying this special time with Jesus but how His heart must have been weighted with the knowledge of what was just in front of Him. Only one other at that meal knew what was about to take place, and she knew that by the heaviness of her heart and having listened to the Master’s words about His approaching death.

Mary brought an alabaster box of expensive perfume into their presence and then broke it. A smell so beautiful that it’s smell of love filled the room. Collective Scripture tells us she poured the perfume from His head to His feet and then wiped His feet with her hair. We see sacrifice and total humbleness with total worship from this action.

I believe this box represented the brokenness of her own heart in the knowledge of Jesus’ death.

How sad that the rest of them could not hear what He was saying so that they could have offered Him the love and encouragement that He needed. Instead, they offered criticism and a pious statement that the perfume was wasted and should have been sold and the money used for the poor. Where are our priorities? For our self? For others? Or have we learned that Jesus must be first priority always in our life.

God keeps very good records. Jesus defends her actions, and even explains why she has done this thing; “she has anointed my body to be buried.” He also said, “you have the poor always and can help them later but I won’t be here always.” Then Jesus says a statement that must have blessed Mary and shocked the rest; “wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this she has done will be spoken of for a memorial to her.” Jesus brought women into fellowship with Himself, showed them honor and respect in a time and culture where there was no such thing offered to women.

I believe on the cross while Jesus hurt (yes, he felt pain as you and I can feel pain) the fragrance of the perfume wafted up into His nostrils and He could remember the great love in which it was offered to Him. He no longer is on a cross but in heaven at the right hand of God the Father ever living and ever making intercession for you and me. I pray our tears, prayers, sacrifices of time, finances, lifestyle will rise up beautifully before Him. I pray that all He has entrusted into our care for this short time on earth can be offered as freely as Mary’s alabaster box. May we lavish all that we have upon the One who freely gave His life for us.

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