How precious is your Alabaster Box?

By Roberta Stultz

How precious is your Alabaster Box?

Mary, the sister of Lazarus--the man who was raised from the dead, will be remembered whenever and however the Gospel is shared until the end of time. Thus saith Jesus. Why is she given such an honored position on the list of those Jesus appreciated? Was it her boldness to come uninvited to Simon's home and perform such a humble and intimate sacrificial gift?---the value of which could have been her dowry, meaning her future. Or was it that She “got it?”  He was really going to die and there was no limit to what or how she would demonstrate the depth of her love. This alabaster box was her very heart. Even Jesus’ closest ones couldn’t see the beauty of her love and devotion. Jesus had to defend the elaborate demonstration of her priceless gift. The fragrance may have been “way too much.” It disturbed the normal way of things. “We just don’t do things like this.” And why not, Mary may have thought. 

Do we ever react in a similar way?  If someone does or says something that is out of our “ordinary," is it that we just don’t understand, or does it make me feel like I am missing something in my expression of love and devotion?  There can be as many responses as there are observers. We all are growing and maturing in our fellowship with Jesus and our brothers and sisters in Christ. He has made us each unique and we must use His amazing love as the buffer between each of us. The obvious point is we need His amazing Grace and Wisdom to meld the love and devotion we each have in building the Body that He’ll use to reveal His Kingdom to the world.