When it comes to spiritual matters, it is my belief that women have a deeper understanding and a greater insight than most men. This gift is God given and is most effective when women are in a relationship with God and being led by the Holy Spirit. Some might call this gift "Intuition" but whatever it is, most women know things before men even have a clue. In the bible you'll find a woman with an Alabaster Box. This particular woman, the bible does not tell us her a name is mentioned in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In Luke's gospel, she is called a "sinner" but in the other gospels she is referred to as only a woman having an Alabaster Box. What is Alabaster, well Wikipedia describes it as a two minerals gypsum and calcite both being attractive in appearance and used to make beautiful works of art. Wikipedia describes Calcite Alabaster as follows, "This substance, the "alabaster" of the Ancient Egyptians and Bible, often is termed Oriental alabaster, since the early examples came from the Far East. The Greek name alabastrites is said to be derived from the town of Alabastron, in Egypt, where the stone was quarried. The locality probably owed its name to the mineral; the origin of the mineral name is obscure. The "Oriental" alabaster was highly esteemed for making small perfume bottles or ointment vases called alabastra, the vessel name has been suggested as a possible source of the mineral name." From this we know and understand, that the box was very expensive, however it's not the box that matters, but what the box contains and how she uses what was contained in the box. The Alabaster box was the container for a very precious or rare form of Spikenard, used by this woman to anoints our Saviour's feet, preparing Him for what was to come, his death. Wikipedia describes the Spikenard. "Spikenard (Nardostachys grandiflora or Nardostachys jatamansi; also called nard, nardin, and muskroot ) is a flowering plant of the Valerian family that grows in the Himalayas of China, also found growing in the northern region of India and Nepal. The plant grows to about 1 m in height and has pink, bell-shaped flowers. It is found in the altitude of about 3000–5000 meters. Spikenard rhizomes (underground stems) can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil, which is very thick in consistency. Nard oil is used as a perfume, an incense, a sedative, and an herbal medicine said to fight insomnia, birth difficulties, and other minor ailments."
Today this would be equivalent to purchasing a bottle of Chanel N°5 PARFUM LES GRANDS EXTRAITS that cost about $1800.00 for 7 oz. What this woman did for our Lord and Saviour was an act of worship, an act of caring devotion to someone, who would soon give His life as a ransom for many. This is how Luke tells the story, this how He describes this extraordinary act of worship,: "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace"
This woman understood who Jesus was and what He had come into the world to do, she used everything she had earned, to purchase this ointment. She bowed down in His presence and with tears in her eyes, she washed His feet. Then she broke open the Alabaster box, took the ointment from the box and poured it over His head and anointed his feet with oil. How unselfishly she displays her love for Jesus. As the sweet aroma filed the room, there were some who became angry at her because of who she was and what she had done. In this life you'll encounter those who will not understand your love for Jesus and they will despise your worship, but don't let their hate, hinder your worship. One might ask, what should I give to someone who I owe so much? The answer is everything. We should break open our hearts to Jesus, because He gave His life for us. We should pour out, our souls to Him, because He loves us. True worship comes from a spirit that has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. For God is a Spirit and those that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Honor the Lord, with thanksgiving, Honor the Lord for the glory due His name. Worship the Lord in the splendour of His Holiness!
Posted by Ray at 10:16 AM No comments:
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