The family of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha is one that enjoys prominence in the pages of Scripture. Some of life’s greatest lessons have been learned and great sermons have been preached from the accounts involving them (cf Luke 10:38-42; John 11:17-44). Today’s reading contains one of them.
“She has done this for my burial.” So said our Lord of Mary (cf John 12:1-3) after she broke an alabaster flask and poured out its costly contents on His head. Hers was a great personal sacrifice and one that went mostly unappreciated except by the one who received it.
As this selfless saint, like the poor widow of chapter 12, was willing to give all to serve God, so must we also be willing to give all (Luke 14:33). Important times, tasks, and events call for great sacrifice.
Husbands and wives must be willing to break the alabaster flask if they would truly serve one another in marriage as one flesh. Wives are to submit to their own husbands as unto the Lord (Eph 5:22). Husbands are to: 1) love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (Eph 5:25); 2) love their wives as their own bodies (Eph 5:28); 3) nourish and cherish their wives just as the Lord does the church (Eph 5:29).
Parents must break the alabaster box in their homes if they would raise our children in the nurture and admonition of Lord. Many are willing to break the bank to provide many mundane and unimportant things like designer clothing, sports, automobiles, etc., but dedicate precious little time and resources toward the development of godliness, which is profitable for all things (1 Tim 4:8).
We must break the alabaster flask when the needs of our brethren or community are great. The early church sacrificed everything they had to meet the needs of destitute brethren (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 2 Cor 8:1-5).
Judas the thief and the apostles were wrong. Money and treasures used for the cause of Christ are never wasted.
Remember, it all belongs to the Lord. I am only a steward of that which God has entrusted me. And as a steward, I am required to be found faithful (cf 1 Cor 4:2).
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