Your Alabaster Jar is Enough

Photo Credit: Wix

She came up to who she would know as the Messiah. The One that had made her new. The One that loved her as no one else had. The One who was her Lord and everything. There He was, surrounded by men, talking with the One she wanted to be close to, to show love in return for Him offering her everything.

She gripped the vase tightly as she made her way toward Him. Taking the lid off, she began pouring the sweet perfume upon His feet. Feet that were worn from walking, with bruises of this world, and that could use the tender care that she could offer back to Him. She had not brought a towel. No, she would use her glory to wipe the mud off His feet. To rub in her most expensive offerings into His skin. 

Tears blurred her eyes as she worshiped her beloved. As she poured out not just her offering, but herself to Him. Those stinging tears were met with accusations from the men around Him. “She should have sold that and given it to the poor!” “What a waste!” “Why would you let such a distasteful woman in here? She is a sinner!” 

The sweet aroma of worship was mixed with the painful accusations of the Pharisees and disciples. Had she messed up? Was it truly better to have offered her alabaster jar of perfume elsewhere? Was this the right way to worship the Lord? Was even her whole self enough to offer such a King? 

“She has done a beautiful thing to me.” His rich voice interrupted the others, surprising her. 

The One she desired to please the most had spoken. She had pleased Him. He called her love for Him, her offering of herself, beautiful. Her offering told of His story. It prepared the story of His burial and resurrection. She was personally involved in His story.

He spoke again, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Not only did He believe her alabaster love to be beautiful…He wanted her story to be a part of sharing His own. He wanted her involved in sharing the gospel. 

Confusion erupted among the Pharisees and disciples. How could He? Why would He take such counter-cultural stances? Why would He want a woman to be a part of His story? Teeth gnashed their displeasure at her offering. The debates questioned her ability to glorify God.

She grabbed the alabaster jar with shaky hands. It still smelled sweet from where the residual oils remained. A fragrant offering so wholly poured out. She looked up at Jesus to see His response to her offering. His eyes sparkled with a joy in her delight for Him, its depth shared that He wanted her to be part of His story; she belonged to her King. His smile was one of love. He drew her to a stand before she began to walk out with a dignity to her step.

Jesus had said her alabaster jar was enough.