4 May – Our Alabaster Jar

If there’s one thing I am guilty of it is undervaluing who I am and what I have to offer.

Lately however I have been thinking about the woman in the bible who came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume which she anointed Jesus with as he was reclining at the table.

This woman was known only as a” sinner” in the city where she lived, but she thought to do something that no one else did. “She stood at Jesus’ feet weeping and began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” (Luke 7:38)

The woman’s alabaster jar of perfume was worth about a year’s wages and was the most precious and valuable thing that she would have owned. The disciples and everyone present was not only shocked by the cost of the perfume, but also the amount the woman was using. They saw this act of devotion being poured out upon Jesus as wasteful and irresponsible, yet Jesus responded to their offence by saying, “truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:13) Men rejected her whilst Jesus bestowed upon her his high esteem.

Too often we can give of ourselves and yet our “alabaster jar” filled with all we have to offer; our revelation, our voice, our gifts, our thoughts and our hearts can be rejected or simply dismissed. We can end up feeling discouraged and misunderstood as we listen to the voices and actions of people rather than Jesus.

The question therefore to ask ourselves is not whether we open up and pour out our own “alabaster jar”, but rather who we offer and pour it out upon? Are we offering who we are and then expecting people to esteem us, or are we offering all we have to Jesus so that we can bless and honour Him with our lives?

Regardless of what we do, are good at, or have to offer, Jesus says our offering – our life is precious and valuable to him. He says we are enough and that whatever we do, say or are is most highly valued when offered to Him.

Today I encourage you to check to whom you have been offering your gifts and abilities. Is it to other people that you would seek their esteem and acceptance, (and as a result you are often left feeling depleted and discouraged), or is it to Jesus who made and loves you and whispers, “you are more than enough?”

“Whatever you do work heartily as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Prayer: Lord thank you for who I am and the “jar of alabaster oil” which I have to offer you. Please help me to remember that I am more than enough and that whatever I have to bring and whoever I am, you love and accept. In Jesus name Amen.