There came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. Matthew 26:7
Many young women in Jesus’ day had alabaster boxes filled with ointment. The value of the ointment in the box usually reflected the family wealth. The fact that our text tells us that the ointment was very precious indicates either that she was from a wealthy family or that she had poured her entire life savings and resources into the purchase of the ointment. What was the purpose of the alabaster box? Custom had it that the young woman would wait until she found a man who she considered worthy of her honour and devotion. To indicate her life’s commitment to such a man, she would kneel before him and break the box, pouring the ointment on his feet. In a sense, each Christian has an alabaster box of ointment that we can pour out on Jesus’ feet.
The woman who entered Simon’s house to anoint Jesus’ feet was making a firm declaration: she had found One worthy of her life’s devotion. The symbolism in her act is very clear. The rest of her life would be served for the Lord Jesus. His will would be paramount in all of her decisions and actions, and the honour of His Name would hold the highest place in her priorities. Is that not what we as His people ought to commit to for the Lord Jesus?
Our lives are the alabaster box. All of our abilities, opportunities, talents, hopes, and aspirations are the ointment. How much of these are we willing to commit to our Lord? What parts of our life are we willing to turn over entirely to Him? How willing are we to drop all of our limitations on what He can have and control in our lives? If you or I had been the woman in this account, how readily would we have broken the alabaster box and poured out the ointment?
One important consideration in the commitment of our lives to the Lord Jesus is His person. Is He worthy of our commitment? Do we owe Him our devotion and dedication? Consider what He has done for you and determine whether to break your alabaster box. -Jim MacIntosh