“What’s In Your Alabaster Box”
By Yvonne Bush
Luke 7: 37 Behold, a woman of the town, Mary, who was an especially wicked sinner, when she learned that He
(Jesus) was reclining at Simon the Leper’s, the Pharisee’s house, brought an Alabaster box ointment (Spikenard).
38 And standing behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her Tears; and she wiped them with the
hair of her head and kissed His feet (affectionately) and anointed them with the ointment made of Spikenard.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw it, he said to himself. If this Man (Jesus) were a prophet, He would
surely know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him-For She is a notorious sinner (a social outcast,
devoted to sin).
47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, (many as they are) are forgiven her- because she has loved much. But he who is
forgiven little loves little.
50 Jesus said to her Your faith has saved you, go enter into peace (in freedom from all the distresses that are
experienced as the result of sin).
When I was studying Mary and the Alabaster Box, the Lord showed me that there is a deeper message in this
story. He said each part is significant.
Mary: Mary in the Greek means “Beloved”. You are dearly loved by the Lord.
Mary in Hebrews means “Yhweh lifts up”. In this story God lifted her up in front of all of her enemies. He gave
her honor instead of disgrace, and told them all she will be remembered always.
Simon: Mary entered into the house of “Simon”, The word Simon means “God has heard”. So Mary entered
into a place where God will hear her cry. Mary had issues, she was shameful, she knew the Lord would hear
her, accept her and forgive her. God has heard your cry to him. Your pain, your guilt, your troubles.
Pharisee: Mary entered into this house, with Pharisee’s surrounding her. Pharisee’s had evil desire of their
own in their heart, but were hidden by their Pias show. They looked down on “Sinner’s”, acted like they were
better than everyone else, but truly they were worse off many times. Do you have any Pharisee’s in your life?
People who don’t approve of your walk with God, or who don’t understand your relationship with him?
Perhaps, they keep a record of every wrong thing you have ever done, and bring it up as it suits them. Only to
tear you down. “Pharisee’s” in your life, will attack you verbally or appear to look down on you, but it is only to
lift up their PIAS Show to make them feel better about themselves. If you are seeking after God and his ways,
don’t feel condemned by the Pharisee’s in your life. God is the only Judge and he doesn’t bring
condemnation. He gently moves us in the right direction and deals with our heart, through the conviction of the
Holy Spirit, not of man.
Alabaster Box: Mary press through all the negative things that were being said. She proceeded to break the
Alabaster Box. This Alabaster Box, was made of a mineral that enabled light to shine through it, when the light
was transmitted through, then you were able to see that there were contents inside to be poured out. The Lord
showed me that this is like us. We are a vessel, a container, as the Alabaster Box. When we ALLOW him to
shine through us, we must become BROKEN before Him as Mary broke the Alabaster Box. Many times we
do not want to let his light shine on us to expose the darkness that hides within our very being. It is a scary
place. When we allow him to expose the dark places in our heart, then we can pour out what we have held
onto for so long.
Spikenard: The ointment that Mary poured on Jesus. The Spikenard from each root, grew many spiky thorns,
as it grows it produces pink flowers. The Stem that held the plant together was very hairy. It was very costly
and extravagant. The Lord showed me that we are like the Spikenard, from the beginning of our life, from the
roots, we may have encountered trials, hard times, and it leaves a thorn, a hurtful place. A place that hurts your
heart any time you revisit that memory. However, as you grow in the Lord, nourished by his word, and his
presence, he will produce you into a beautiful flower and set off an extravagant fragrance through your life. The
Stem of the plant was very hairy, this can be a simple reminder that Mary dried Jesus feet with her hair. She
became humble before him so that she might become what he called her to be.
Tears: Tears are cleansing. You may not have Spikenard to pour on Jesus. But if you search deep enough
you will find those tears. Those tears are costly as well. Know one knows the cost from your Alabaster Box.
Maybe it’s been years since you have cried. You can come to Jesus, ready to surrender and just pour out your
heart to him with your tears. He will be there to comfort you, He will honor your worship and mend the broken
places.
When Mary left that house, don’t you know she was a changed woman. Jesus stood up for her! She walked in
with Shame and left with Honor. She came in broken and left whole. She came in with guilt and left with
Forgiveness.
So ask yourself, what is in your Alabaster Box? Is it empty? Allow him to pour himself into you, to reveal those
hurtful places. Is if full? He is waiting, he wants you to pour out those things to him, he longs to be close to
you, to see you free. He invites you to lay at his feet today.
Yvonne
Yvonne@neverthirstagain.org