Alabaster Jars

 

Read:  Deuteronomy 5:28-33; Psalm 43; Mark 14:1-26

 

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  ²⁹ Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!  ³² So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. ³³ Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.  Deuteronomy 5:29, 32-33

 

O:  “Did Christ pour out his soul unto death for us, and shall we think anything too precious for him? Do we give him the precious ointment of our best affections? Let us love him with all the heart …” – Matthew Henry

 

All of these verses have in common the idea of giving everything to Him.  I’ve always loved the story of the alabaster box.  We women can relate to perfumes and pretty boxes.  But this story is about more than pretty boxes and things that smell good.  This is about “costly offerings”. 

 

 

 

What is “costly” to you today?  Two synonyms would be “dear” or “precious”.  What are those things that we tend to hang on to that we need to break open before Jesus and pour out at his feet?  Some of the people present thought this gift was too extravagant and could have been put to better uses.  But Jesus said it was a beautiful thing she had done.

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes what we do and give to Jesus looks foolish to other people.  But Jesus knows our hearts and intents.  Let’s let Jesus be the judge of our actions, not others.

 

A:  To follow hard after Jesus and to give Him everything even if we look foolish in the process.

 

P:  Abba, Father, I want to come today and pour everything out before You.  Incline my heart to You and help me to follow hard after You and not to turn to the right or to the left.  Help me to walk in obedience before You all of my days that it may go well not only with me, but my children after me.  Please guide me.  Please help me to place all of my hope in You and not to hold anything back.  May my words and actions praise you my God and Savior.  Amen & Amen.

 

Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43:5b