DCLM Sincere Milk 20 October 2024 — The Alabaster Box
DCLM Sincere Milk 20 October 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Alabaster Box
Topic: The Alabaster Box
Text: Matthew 26:6-13
6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Key Verse: “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
Message
In Bible times, alabaster boxes were made of a rich marble type stone. Alabaster was a stone commonly found in Israel and one of the precious stones used in the decoration of Solomon’s temple. These alabaster boxes or jars would be filled with expensive perfume to keep them pure and unspoiled, and sealed with wax to retain and preserve the scent.
Also Read: DCLM Sincere Milk 19 September 2024 — The Clay In God’s Hand
The story in our Bible passage took place in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper. It happened during Passover and the feast of unleavened bread, and also during the time the chief priests were looking for a way to arrest and kill Jesus. In just the very next verses Jesus will be betrayed by Judas and this is where the story of the woman with the alabaster box came in. She got an alabaster box of expensive oil and poured it on Jesus’ head.
When the disciples complained, Jesus told them she did it in preparation for His burial. This teaches us that there is nothing too big or too much to give to God. That precious thing you have, release it to God and let Him bless you. You can give God your precious time, money, your comfort to serve Him and your reward will be great in Heaven.
Further Reading: Matthew 6:27-34
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, help me to always bring all my worries to You.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
