Pastor's Corner: Breaking the alabaster jar

You can read three versions of this story in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8. As the rumors and the rumblings of the Pharisees and the religious leaders hinted at Jesus' death, the dark clouds of fear and sadness gathered over Jesus' disciples. One woman, not wanting to wait until he died to express her love, anointed him at Bethany with expensive perfume [see the parallel passage in John 12:1-8, where the woman is identified as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus].

Of all the acts of servanthood he witnessed, one touched Jesus' heart so deeply that he memorialized it forever. One would expect the spotlight of his attention to fall on some grand sacrifice, something of "high impact." But what left Christ's heart pierced was a woman named Mary and her alabaster jar.

An alabaster jar. We all have one. They come in different shapes and sizes, and sealed within is all that we prize - our treasured earthly possessions. Occasionally we break the seal, remove the lid and share - as we know we ought. But we do so carefully, reservedly, with control, anxious all the while to put the lid back on. So much of life is spent preserving and conserving what we hold in our alabaster jar.

Mary's servanthood brings each of us to a fork in the road. The question of good stewardship - What will you do with your alabaster jar? - is one that every person must decide. Ultimately, good stewardship is not a matter of wise money management or even responsible giving. It is a matter of extravagant love ... Is his love transforming your prayers from "Give me, Lord" to "Use me, Lord - all that I am and all that I hold dear"?

Like Mary, we do not always understand the significance of the gifts we give to God; indeed, he imbues them with significance when they are given with pure love.

Jesus breathes a meaning into the gift beyond what the giver meant. Mary did not regard her anointing as preparatory to his burial, but Jesus had his thoughts fixed on the coming storm. How far away from the simple festivities in Simon's house were his thoughts! What a gulf between the other guests and him! But Jesus always puts significance into the service which he accepts; and surprises the giver by the far reaching issues of their gifts. We know not what he may make our poor deeds mean. Results are beyond our vision. Therefore, let us make sure of what is within our horizon - namely motives. If we do anything for his sake, he will take care of what it comes to. That is true even on earth, and still more true in heaven.

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Pastor Michael O'Hearn

Hi-Line Lutheran Churches