The Alabaster Box

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

The Alabaster Box

Text: Mark 14:1-11

Thesis: A true love for God and our Neighbor is Extravagant because God’s love is extravagant. “For God so loved the world he gave his one and only son…” John 3:16

1. Money can be a “stumbling block” for some believers, preventing them from doing ministry because it cost too much. (vs1-5)
2. “They growled or glowered or scolded her.” (A.E. Sanner, BBC, Mark, page 388)
3. This lady’s love for Jesus was expressed in an extravagant manner.

“a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume…, she broke it and poured the perfume on Jesus head…, it could have been sold for more than a year’s wages. (vss.3b&5a)

1. This was possibly her life’s savings!

 

1. Jesus defended her actions in eight statement, not just one. (vs 6-9)
2. “Leave her alone”
3. God defends those doing his will.

“I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.” (Isaiah 49:25)

2. “Why are you bothering her?”
3. Be careful not to discourage someone doing an act of kindness in Jesus’ name.
4. “She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

4. “The poor you will always have with you and you can help them anytime you want.”
5. “If you are looking for an excuse, any will do.” Unknown
6. “But you will not always have me.”
7. Do not take for granted the spiritual liberties that we have today.

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” Luke 21:33-34)

6. “She did what she could.”
7. God recognizes all our efforts and contributions when given from the heart.

“And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

7. “She poured perfume on my body before hand to prepare me for burial.”
8. The lady’s actions revealed she recognized Jesus as the Messiah.
9. “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
10. We are fulfilling Jesus word’s as we retell this story.

 

III. Then Judas left and went to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

1. Judas’ actions surrounding money was a radical contrast to the loving lady who broke the alabaster jar of expensive perfume!