Alabaster Jar

 

my beloved friend, Cynthia

"While Jesus was in Bethany . . . a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table." (Matthew 26:6-7)

Before she went to heaven in 2013, my dear friend, Cynthia, gave me her alabaster jar from Israel — a beautiful symbol of worship and devotion to God. I placed it on a shelf and, sadly, kinda forgot about it.

In the gospel of Matthew, the disciple of Jesus Christ tells the story of one woman's beautiful worship of the Lord. 

Jesus was at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman anointed Him with expensive perfume from an alabaster jar. His disciples became indignant. "What a waste!" they cried. "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."

But Jesus replied, "Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to Me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. She has poured this perfume on Me to prepare My body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this women's deed will be remembered."

A few days later, Jesus died on a cross for you and for me.

Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all worship and love and devotion and praise. May we never forget the Good News. You came. You lived. You died. You arose that we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in You. Thank You, Lord Jesus!