If you are
like me at this time of the year, you are probably thinking about gifts, family
and what gift to give to which person.
Consider this, for a moment. There is a deeply moving scene in the Gospel of Mark, where we encroach upon a meeting between Jesus and some men. Suddenly, a poor woman enters, approaching Jesus while he sat, conversing with his company. The woman, who by entering into the presence of these men bravely violated many traditions, broke open an alabaster flask of ointment and poured it over Jesus.
This gesture of generosity washes quickly over our heads. Please understand a couple of key points here. Firstly the woman was poor; secondly, she broke open an alabaster flask and, thirdly, she poured the contents over Jesus’s body.
In Mark, we see a poor woman, breaking open an expensive, precious flask, then pouring the valuable, most costly contents over Jesus. This, as I hope you see, is a huge sacrifice for a woman with very little. It’s like someone off the street, taking a bottle of Clive Christian’s Imperial Majesty Perfume, worth more than $200 000, taking it to some person they’ve probably never met, and pouring it over them in one hit.
Consider this, for a moment. There is a deeply moving scene in the Gospel of Mark, where we encroach upon a meeting between Jesus and some men. Suddenly, a poor woman enters, approaching Jesus while he sat, conversing with his company. The woman, who by entering into the presence of these men bravely violated many traditions, broke open an alabaster flask of ointment and poured it over Jesus.
This gesture of generosity washes quickly over our heads. Please understand a couple of key points here. Firstly the woman was poor; secondly, she broke open an alabaster flask and, thirdly, she poured the contents over Jesus’s body.
COOL FACT 1: An alabaster flask was a
type of ancient jar, usually sealed, used for holding oils, perfumes and
ointments. Alabaster was an expensive and rare material, similar to calcium and
marble.
COOL FACT 2: The ointment, contained in
the flask which the woman poured on Jesus, was nard, which too, was very expensive.
It was used for moisturising, deodorising and comforting a guest after a long
journey on foot.
In Mark, we see a poor woman, breaking open an expensive, precious flask, then pouring the valuable, most costly contents over Jesus. This, as I hope you see, is a huge sacrifice for a woman with very little. It’s like someone off the street, taking a bottle of Clive Christian’s Imperial Majesty Perfume, worth more than $200 000, taking it to some person they’ve probably never met, and pouring it over them in one hit.
Hint, hint -
Christmas and gifts. Fret not, I’m not asking you to buy me a bottle of
Imperial Majesty Perfume; I’m not even asking you to focus on the woman’s
gesture. In actual fact, I want you to consider the woman’s most sacrificial motive.
By breaking
the alabaster flask and pouring the ointment over Jesus’s feet, the woman is
making a huge statement. More valuable than a rare and precious material or an expensive
perfume, what Jesus offers is something that is far more treasured than
anything else in our lives. Jesus offers us eternal life with him.
What the
woman saw in Jesus was more than just a “nice guy” with some cool teachings. More
deeply, she saw God, giving the ultimate gift: His life instead of ours – on the
cross – suffering for those who trust him.
Now, this
Christmas, while you do all your Christmas shopping, take some time to remember
what the woman saw in Jesus. Remember the ultimate gift, waiting for you in
Jesus!
Merry
Christmas!
REF: Mark14:3-9
