The Alabaster Box

Scripture: Matthew 26 v 7 - 10: "There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
 8  But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
 9  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me."

This box contained a very expensive perfume and the unnamed woman came to Jesus to pour the whole bottle over His head while He was eating. She did this as an expression of her love for Him because He had ministered to her. He said that what she had done for Him must be shared forever wherever the Gospel is preached. 

It was something that really upset His disciples though. They considered it a waste of costly perfume which could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus called it a good work as it was done for His burial although before His death.  Only He knew that there would be no time for burial ointments immediately after His death, because before they could get to Him he would be resurrected.

We need to break our alabaster box within us so that the power of the Holy Spirit can flow forth from our hearts. Our hardness of heart must yield to the Saviour no matter what the cost.  The alabaster box represents our soul with all its flaws and bondages. Until its broken the essence of Christ cannot flow.

In 2 Corinthians 2 v 14 - 16: "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
 15  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
 16  To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"

Jesus makes manifest the fragrance of His knowledge through us to the whole world. He has to break through our flesh to release this sweet odour so that everywhere we go we spread it around.  Our flesh puts up a struggle which blocks the release of our spirit to touch the needs of others.  

An example of Christians being the savour of death to those who gamble on lies to save themselves is in Acts 5 v 3 - 5:  "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 
 4  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
 5  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things."

It's a warning to those who make promises to God and then change their mind and expect Him to understand.  Ananias died on the spot and a short while later his wife, Sapphira, followed Him to the grave for telling the same lie.   Christianity is not a game to be played lightly.

The Spirit of God is moving, stirring up righteousness, stirring the Living Waters so don't be left stranded jump in and flow with Him in glorious liberty.  He wants to use each one of us in small or great ways to reveal His love and bring people to salvation.

Don't become a stumbling block through your stubbornness, pride and religion.  Religion is a system of binding rules and rites to help you please God. Christianity is the life of freedom given by God when He finds you. Pour out the contents of your broken box to glorify Jesus  in His resurrection power. It will show Him that you are willing to sacrifice something you treasure to bless Him. 

Prayer: Father God I pray that today You will break our alabaster boxes to pour forth the love, peace, joy and truth of the Gospel to a dying world. Help us to let that sweet savour of Christ permeate the atmosphere wherever we go. Let us glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.