Imagine that, you are entertaining some friends and the door opens and a woman walks in carrying a jar. Most notice the type of jar, made out of fine alabaster - know it is worth a lot. But not everyone realizing what is inside it, until it was opened. The fragrance filled the room, each person smelling an aroma that caught them by surprise. She walked to one of your friends, and slowly poured out its contents upon his head. As the fine oil dripped and ran slowly down his hair and onto his clothes, he did not seem to mind - and actually seemed to enjoy the moment - thanking the young woman for her actions. Most know this fragrance as the fragrance of Christ. And it was in preparation for His burial even though he had not been crucified yet. That journey was still to come.
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Mark 14:3-10
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
...then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:10,12
This man before you stands healed! This is a powerful statement, for it is was by the crucifixion that a way was made into the secret place of God's throne room. The key is his name, Jesus - and the threshold is His blood that was shed. Come on in today, and just let His blood cover you - whatever your need.
Matthew 26:7
ReplyDelete"a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table."
Imagine that, you are entertaining some friends and the door opens and a woman walks in carrying a jar. Most notice the type of jar, made out of fine alabaster - know it is worth a lot. But not everyone realizing what is inside it, until it was opened. The fragrance filled the room, each person smelling an aroma that caught them by surprise. She walked to one of your friends, and slowly poured out its contents upon his head. As the fine oil dripped and ran slowly down his hair and onto his clothes, he did not seem to mind - and actually seemed to enjoy the moment - thanking the young woman for her actions. Most know this fragrance as the fragrance of Christ. And it was in preparation for His burial even though he had not been crucified yet. That journey was still to come.
ReplyDeleteWhile he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Mark 14:3-10
ReplyDeletealabastra domum - 2 Cor 4:5-12
ReplyDeleteFor what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
“How beautiful is your love,
ReplyDeleteMy sister, My bride!
How much better is your love than wine,
And the fragrance of your oils
Than all kinds of spices!”
(Song of Songs 4:10)
...then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:10,12
ReplyDeleteThis man before you stands healed! This is a powerful statement, for it is was by the crucifixion that a way was made into the secret place of God's throne room. The key is his name, Jesus - and the threshold is His blood that was shed. Come on in today, and just let His blood cover you - whatever your need.