There is a story, a real-life story, in the Bible that is pretty familiar to those who have been in church for a while.
In the book of Mark chapter 14 verses 3-9 we find the story, a story that really did happened, of a woman. This woman, a woman of the city, entered into a house where men were reclining at table just a short time before our innocent Lord Jesus was to be slaughtered and killed for the sins of man. This woman, a known sinner, seemed to have no regard for anyone around her, but the Lord Jesus. And the text tells us she “came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard…very costly…”
This past summer, our family had the honor of attending the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. During the presentation, they showed us different containers and what they might have held.
There was an alabaster flask. A costly vessel. Alabaster was not common in this area, making the price of this anointing higher than we may think if we just skim the text. I knew from what I had read before that the ointment was costly. I never considered the container.
The vessel was costly too.
And she broke it.
And poured the ointment of pure nard over the head of Jesus.
She was scolded by the men thinking she had done a foolish thing. Thinking she had wasted such a valuable possession.
But our King, He responds to the men. He speaks for the woman. He said, “She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
He goes on to say something that really has affected me. Words that pierce my soul and cause me to wonder…
He said, “She has done what she could;” .
Wow.
Just sit in that for a moment.
Have I done what I could?
Is there something costly that needs breaking in my life?
Am I willing to break it? Lose it for the sake of complete surrender to my Lord?
I want to.
So today, as you go about the hustle and bustle of all that life brings, think about this story.
It really happened.
The breaking of something that holds worldly value can break again. Today.
And, Jesus goes on to say, “And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
“She has done what she could;”
Let’s give it a try.
What do you think this might look like in your life today? Tomorrow?
I would love to hear some ways that you are able to do all you can for Jesus. Some earthly things that may need to be broken for the sake of full surrender.
He is worthy.
