Good morning! One of my favorite songs sung by CeCe Winans is Alabaster Box “…you don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box.” Throughout the book of Matthew and the other gospels, we read about Jesus healing the sick, making one well, forgiving sins and his statement to them to go and sin no more. Today, we will read on Mary of Bethany and the reaction she received for actions she took. Join me as we continue in Matthew 26.

Bible Verse – Matthew 26:6-13 NLT
“6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.””

REFLECTION
What is so significant about the alabaster jar? According to vocabulary.com, Alabaster is a Greek word meaning perfume vase. It is usually white, and because it is translucent it appears to be lit from within.

Mary of Bethany (John 12:3) did the unexpected, it caught the disciples (mainly Judas Iscariot – John 12:4) by surprise. They saw the value in the perfume before they saw her value through the eyes of Jesus.

Often times we are focused on the things we can see instead of seeing Jesus in everything. See here Jesus and the disciples are at the home of Simon who was previously considered unclean because he had leprosy. Simon was now clean and able to host people in his home, and it was only because of Jesus that he was healed. In the same way, this woman had many sins and she knew who had forgiven her and set her free. The value of that perfume could never compare to the love Jesus had shown her, but it was the best thing that she could do. Like that alabaster jar, because of the love Jesus had shown her, she was lit from within.

Sisters and brothers, I don’t know the cost of the oil in your alabaster jar/box, but what I do know is that everyone of us needs a Savior who will forgive us of our sins and set us free from that bondage. Not one person is exempt from this need. Today, if you desire to be forgiven for your sins or self-righteousness, I want to invite you to belive and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For those of you who know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, may be you want to rededicate your life to Him, it’s not too late.

The Bible says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NLT

If you believe this, pray with me:

Father God, thank you for your testimony. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to save us. Lord, we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is your son, and that he died on the cross so that we will be forgiven and have eternal life. Father God, we believe Jesus rose from the dead and we ask you to come into our lives to be our Lord and Savior. Father God, we repent of our sins and because your word is true we confess that we are born again believers and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. -Amen.

If this is the first time you prayed this prayer, I want to welcome you to the family of God. I encourage you to get involved in your local Bible believing and teaching church to surround yourself with a healthy body of Christian believers.

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for preparing a way for us to be reconciled to you. Lord, we thank you for opening our eyes to see you. Lord, your word says you are coming back again and we want to be ready for your return. Lord, forgive us of our sins and restore our relationship with you. Lord, prepare our hearts and minds to receive you. Lord, equip us to be faithful servants until the day you return. Lord, speak to us and guide us to use the gifts you have given us. Lord, we love and thank you for all that you have done for us. Lord, we pray for the people who are in the hospital and ask that you be with them. Lord, touch their bodies and heal them. Lord, bring the right doctors and guide them on which treatments to use. Lord, we lift up the lost, those who don’t know you and those who know you but do not have a personal relationship with you. Father God, we ask that you continue to work in their hearts and minds and transform their lives. Lord, teach us to love as you love in Jesus name, amen.

—-
Sisters and brothers we are looking for new board members to serve a two year term. This is an important phase for our non-profit and we are excited for the next steps. If you are interested, please send an email to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

We are also seeking volunteers for our retreat, which will be in November.

—-

SAVE-THE-DATE
Our Next Women’s Retreat is
Saturday, November 5, 2022.
Stay tuned for more details.

—
PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2022 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.