{Breaking the Alabaster Jar}

I have always loved the Biblical account of Mary Magdalene washing Jesus' feet. To me, her act of adoration in breaking the alabaster jar of precious ointment at Jesus' feet is more than just a nice story. It is said that in those days of Jewish culture, a young woman received an alabaster box of costly perfume to save for the one that she would become betrothed to. When a young man offered her a proposal, she would break the alabaster jar at his feet as a sign of her acceptance, her willingness to give him all of herself. 

This was her offering. This was the most precious gift that she could give. Yet in order for the gift to be given, the translucent alabaster jar had to be broken. Only in the shattering of the vial could the perfume be poured out and the sweet fragrance arise to her beloved. There was no in between, no half-hearted brokenness, or no way of compromising just a few drops. This offering required all or nothing.  

In humility, Mary broke her alabaster jar at the feet of Jesus. Her Savior. The One who had redeemed her when society labeled her as an outcast, when she had lived a life controlled by darkness, when she had no other hope. But she loved Him for He had first loved her. Breaking that costly jar at His feet was the least that she could do to show Him her devotion. 

What was the response of those who observed her act of sacrifice and love? Ridicule. They looked at that shattered jar and the puddle of perfume on the floor, and they just saw a waste. But Jesus sees and feels something else. Jesus sees and feels an act of love, a symbol of a life poured out for Him. To Jesus, this was a beautiful waste. 

His words spoke healing to her wounded heart as He lovingly accepted her precious offering. 

Once, Jesus had told his followers, “Those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” What about me? Do I count my life as my own? Am I clutching it to myself, unwilling to break this alabaster jar, afraid of what it might cost? 

"Perhaps a few drops of perfume will do. Maybe I can just crack the box a little without losing it all," I try to reason. 

"We hold so tightly to that tiny box. The contents are costly. To break that box at His feet may mean giving up the deepest desires of our heart.

Marriage. 

Children. 

The ideal career. 

Our happy, secure world. 

If we break the box others might call it a waste. They may ridicule the sacrifice. 

If we break the box we might be called to a life of singleness. Or to dark jungles somewhere. 

We fear the pain and sacrifice involved. We’re afraid to pour it all out for the One who poured Himself out for us. So we cling to the box that keeps us from clinging to the Savior. And in all of our clinging we forget that He is worthy.Break the alabaster box." - Grace Dye (ylcf.org)