The Alabaster Box

Mary comes into the home of Simon carrying a beautiful Alabaster Box.  The room was filled with men.  It was not a time or place for a woman.  The only woman invited was Martha Stewart of Bethany.   She was cooking in the kitchen.

This was a bold move on Mary's part.  She had sit at Jesus' feet and heard that He was going to die.  She knew what she was going to do must be done quickly.  At his burial there would not be time to give Him a proper burial.

She brings a very expensive box made of Alabaster.  That was found in palaces.  If that box was today, would cost about thirty three thousand dollars.  Scholars say her family won't have had that kind of money to buy an expensive gift.  It may have been a heirloom passed down from generation to generation for a dowry for her.  When she got married it would have been her money, if she got a divorce .  She could not work outside of the home, so it would be money to live on.  If her husband died this would provide money to live on for her and her children.

She is so courageous.  She let down her hair in the presence of men.  Never heard of before, this was an act done in private in her home.  She bathes His feet with her hair and with this precious perfume from India.

The box had to be broken before the oil would pour out.  This was a picture of Jesus blood that was a bout to be poured out.  His body would be broken on the Cross to save us from our sins.

God so loved the world that He gave His Alabaster Box and laid HIM on the hay in Bethlehem.  Jesus born to die.  He crushed His Alabaster Box on the Cross of Calvary.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours,
Faydean Bishop