Have you ever given something away that was precious to you? Mark 14:3 tells of a woman coming to Jesus and breaking an alabaster jar of precious ointment and pouring it on Him. This was her gift to the Lord, and He received her worship. This jar was filled with spikenard, very fragrant oil that cost about a year’s wages. It was probably part of her dowry, but she was willing to give all as an offering to Him. Ministering to Jesus that day was more important to her than the prospect of marriage some day. It could not be used with a dab here or a dab there, it was all or nothing as the jar had to be broken to release its contents. This speaks of the full commitment required on our part to enter the Kingdom of God . Jesus said, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt. 10:38).
This account is also an example of expressing great love. But this woman was not the first to show great love. You see, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life (Jn.3:16). In a sense, Father God broke His alabaster jar first when He gave His most precious gift (Jesus) to the world as an offering for my sins and the whole world’s sins. A dab here or there would not do as it required an “all out” sacrifice of Jesus’ life for my redemption. Jesus’ body was broken for me so I could be made whole. When the woman’s alabaster jar was broken, everyone in the room knew it, and Jesus received this gift. Will you receive the gift Almighty God has given to you through Jesus? Receive His love and forgiveness and you will know the beautiful fragrance of God’s love manifest in Jesus Christ.
