Tag: alabaster flask of ointment

March 17th 2024: Graham John

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Mark 14:1-11 Christian Devotion

I had a long-lasting friend in school who was nicknamed ‘the enthusiast.’ It was because an idea would grip him so powerfully that it would exclude all other things for a short while, until something else grabbed his attention. Once, when we were teenagers, he suggested making a lorry trip to India. If you gave a moment’s thought to it, and expressed grave doubts about its viability and success, he would put you down as a definite. If you said a firm no, he would put you down as a probable. He was a born optimist, a visionary, who was finally captivated by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here, in the home of Simon the leper, was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who was undoubtedly and enthusiastic for Christ. She was a disciple, a follower, a supporter, a fan. We have a flashback here to the Friday before Good Friday. We see her sacrificial love to the Lord Jesus Christ. In her devotion she gave sacrificially pure nard, which was one of the most expensive perfumes of the day, made from leaves of a plant only found in the foothills of the Himalayas. This display seemed very spontaneous but that couldn’t have been the case because of the cost of the perfume. The very cost meant she wouldn’t have had this to hand. It was the perfume of kings and queens. It probably had to be ordered for such an occasion. A lot of thought must have been behind this apparently impulsive act. It was carefully planned and considered. God loves a cheerful giver.

Marry poured out her heart in thanksgiving and gratitude to Christ. What form of devotion might you take? You have something far more precious than a year’s wage to give him. Paul encouraged Christians in the city of Corinth to increase the size of a gift they were given. Paul mentions examples of other Christian giving – the Christians in Macedonia. They gave themselves first to the Lord, then to others. God’s love is lavish, it is extravagant. Any giving of ourselves to Him will only be a pale reflection of His love for us in sending Christ to the cross. While we may suffer in some way, yet on the cross Jesus suffered for the sins of the world.

Mary’s act of considered devotion causes us to give ourselves to the Lord. The later you come to Christ, the more you regret you never came sooner. But it is never too late to come to Christ. In the planned giving of specific sacrifices, a Christian must actively and purposefully seek out ways in which to serve Christ. We need to follow Him as His disciple, even in moments when we don’t feel like it. Specific ways of sacrificing include my money, my energy, my thoughts, my mind. He longs for such sacrifices, yet He is not any the richer by receiving these things from us.

How can I practically give myself to Him, who is no longer on earth? His spiritual body is here – the Church. Give generously and show kindness. There are local needs in the local church, as well as the worldwide needs of the church. Mary’s example is an act of planned generosity and devotion to the Lord, who offers Himself as a sacrifice for all. His dedication works itself out in our lives. Do we ever take time in thinking how we may serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we plan and prepare to live out a life like this?

There is a deeper meaning of Mary’s gift; it was prophetic, “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.” (v8). His cross had been prepared. His death was just a few days away. As He anticipate the form of His death and resurrection, Mary has done more in this act than she realises. Often God fulfils His purposes without people realising they are His instrument. They are unaware. Mary has done something she is unaware of – performing an anointing before His burial. Heaven and earth filled with a wonderful perfume. Jesus crucified for me is the power of the gospel – both its glory and attraction of the cross.

Christ encourages us in this example to see how He accepts our gifts and sacrifices. Jesus says she has done a beautiful thing. Praise from the King of Kings! Do you sometimes feel your sacrifices displeasing or overlooked by God? In the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, only one was offered by faith. By grace He accepts our gifts, even a cup of water offered in His name. It is possible for a believer to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. He can look down with delight and pleasure, in the light of Calvary. Paul, in Romans 12, says, “By the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (v1b).

Notice how He defends us in the face of disapproval. We are told in a parallel passage in John chapter 12 that Judas points out the waste of the gift, but Jesus says Mary’s gift is timely. Judas, treasurer, champion of the poor. But Jesus says there will be many opportunities to help the poor. But there is something more pointed underneath these remarks. Cold, worldly hearts cannot understand this generosity. The zeal and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ is often misunderstood by people of the world. They still mock Christ in His people. If a person devotes they’re time, they’re money, their heart to build up a business, the world considers them praiseworthy. Yet, they consider dedication to Christ as a waste.

Once a person sees the awful nature of their sin, together with the heights from which the Saviour came and the depths to which He descended for our sakes at the cross, their heart cries out, ‘What can I do to give back to Him? Call on the name of the Lord.

It is easier to be an admirer of Mary than a copier of Mary. Why was she so devoted? Possibly because she was a good listener. According to John’s gospel, the one who poured perfume over his head here had previously sat at His feet, listening to His words. She learned of God’s love in giving His only Son for this evil world. Have you heard his voice? If so, have you thoughtfully, purposefully, sacrificially given first yourself to Him, then your talents and your gifts, and the things that are special about you? Or do you sit on the sidelines with others and mutter, ‘Waste. Extravagant waste.’ May the Lord show us today the precious value of the Lord Jesus Christ.

October 1st 2023: Owen Jones

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“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” Luke 7:37-38

Generally, people are judged by the company they keep. If you go to church, lead a sober life, are morally upright and have a clean tongue, you’re considered to be good. It was very much the same in the time of Jesus. Morally loose people were avoided because the more time you spent with them, the more likely you’d become like them. This is the story of Jesus and the ne’er-do-well of his day.

We can see three things about our Saviour:

  1. Jesus, the friend of sinners
  2. Jesus, the forgiveness of sins
  3. Jesus, the faith that saves.
  1. Jesus, the friend of sinners.

“The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34). Sometimes, those who oppose Him, identify Jesus correctly. Some demons knew He was the son of God before the disciples did. He spent time with sinners. “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13). It is a world full of self-righteous people. They didn’t need what He had to offer, they didn’t need Him as a friend. He came to the home of Zaccheus (Luke 19:5). This little man was a big crook, working for the occupational forces of Rome. He embezzled money out of his own flesh and blood, but Jesus went to his home.

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,” (Luke 7:37). Would you commend your love for such a person as that, a piece of street garbage? Jesus befriended those who you and I might not be seen dead with. Do you think He could be friend you? Some say, ‘You can keep your religion, you can keep your Jesus. I don’t need what He’s got to offer.’

Paul was guilty of second-degree murder, the one who sanctioned the death of the first man to die for Christ. Yet he later wrote, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10). Jesus is the one we have considered our enemy in the past, who says guilty as charged, yet He becomes the means of our peace and acquittal. He is the one who came to bear our sin and take it away from us. What a friend we have in Jesus, the friend of sinners. Have you made him your friend in this gospel?

  • Jesus, the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus sticks closer than a brother. Here is a woman who sold herself daily, from the red light district, even then. Jesus forgave her sins, then she showed the fruit of repentance. Her many sins were forgiven. This is evidence of who Jesus is. He is God Incarnate. In showing forgiveness, He is showing He is God. Are you aware that God, who alone can forgive you, is the friend of sinners?

When our brother died on the cross, He shed His blood for our sins. He was bringing us back to God. You are alienated if you are not His friend. He was bringing us back to God, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18). Do you know what it is to be brought back to God?

The reaction of Simon, the Pharisee, was understandable. But Jesus says to Simon, “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”  (Luke 7:41-43). The man who owed the most was forgiven and had such a sense of gratitude. We shouldn’t forget how much we were in debt to the Lord Jesus Christ – every little sin, every big sin. The enormity of our sins were crushing, yet He can sort everyone’s past, present and future sin.

I wonder if this woman had met Jesus before and had come back to thank him? Simon did not thank Jesus, “Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  (Luke 7:44-48). Simon gave no water for His feet, no kiss, no oil. Our love and adoration for Christ is shown in the giving of our lives to him. Does your heart go out in gratitude to him?

  • Jesus, the faith that saves.

“And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48). As this experience peaks, Jesus forgave her and her sins and made it a public proclamation. How did she go home? “And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50). Where does faith come from? Faith comes from and through the gospel. Repentance and faith are not always mentioned together, but they are implied together. When God brings you to repentance He brings you into the state of godly sorrow – repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. It takes us to Calvary and we put our whole weight of sin upon him. This is the grace of God that comes to us, from heaven, the gospel which lands into our soul, “Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21).

“Go in peace.” You have been justified through faith in His blood. You are no longer enemies but as one. You know the atonement, brought one with God. His peace, the fruit of the Spirit, is always in blossom. There is something sovereign about it. It may be that you have lost that peace? It can be restored, it can reign. He says, “Go in peace.” Can you go in peace this morning? If you want that peace, God gives you that peace because He is the friend of sinners who comes and gives peace. Is he your friend? Do you know your sins are forgiven? Are you saved?