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Mary Broke an Alabaster Jar

Matthew 26:6-13, NIV
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper,
7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked.
9 "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

We have all become a new creation in Jesus Christ (2Co 5:17). Therefore, we must live for the glory of God and devote our lives to Jesus. Mary, who received abundant grace from Jesus, gave her most precious alabaster jar to Him.

1. Faith that breaks an alabaster jar.
In those days, when maidens in Israel earned money, they would buy expensive drops of perfume, and put them in an alabaster jar as a wedding gift. Therefore, the perfume in an alabaster jar was extremely precious. Mary broke her alabaster jar and poured the perfume on Jesus??head. How could she give up such precious perfume? This was Mary's expression of love and appreciation to the Lord. The Lord gave us salvation and eternal life free of charge. We must offer everything to God in gratitude for this love. The alabaster jar represents ?쐌yself??and the perfume implies ?쏪esus Christ?? We must break ?쐌yself??in order for Christ to express His fragrance through us. Just as Mary broke her alabaster jar to express her gratitude for Jesus??love, we must also break ourselves and love the Lord with respect, humility, and with all our hearts.

2. Faith that overcomes trouble.
When Mary gave her perfume to Jesus, the disciples were indignant and rebuked her. Judas Iscariot calculated the value of the perfume and condemned her (Jn 12:5). Nevertheless, Mary boldly showed her love for Jesus. Sometimes, when we are working for God, our brothers and even our own church members may judge us and persecute us. However, trouble and persecution are beneficial to our faith. Do not despair in doing God's work, and do not retreat in fear of being hurt. Jesus knows everything, and He will give us hope, strength, and victory (Ro 5:3-4; Mt 5:10). Do not think, listen, or be involved in anything negative. Always look to Jesus for strength (Jn 16:33).

3. Faith that glorifies Jesus Christ.
Mary set a good example in showing love to Jesus (Mt 26:13). Jesus blessed Mary because of her thanks, humility, and love for Him and ordered that her beautiful devotion be preached to all nations. When we give our love to the Lord, He will take care of our lives. God will pour out His blessings upon us. Therefore, like Mary, we should also break our alabaster jar to glorify Jesus. What is our alabaster jar? I hope that you will break the alabaster jar of chasing after material blessings, fame, and honor, arrogantly condemning and hating others and committing continuous sin, so that we may be changed to glorify Jesus in us. If I die, Christ lives. If Christ lives in us, then our family, church, job, and business will live.

Let us give our love and thanks to the Lord by breaking our alabaster jar. Let the fragrance of Christ spread throughout the world?봟y breaking our alabaster jar. Always look to the Lord. Victory is ours.