Breaking the Alabaster Jar

Matthew 26:6-13

Introduction

1.      Some of the most important lessons Jesus’ taught are found in the stories about his everyday life

2.      The story about meeting a woman at a well in Samaria

3.      Nicodemus who came to Jesus one night

4.      There are important lessons to learn from what Mary did to Jesus in Bethany  

Discussion

1.      The story from Matthew, Mark (14) and John (12)

a.       The time:  a few days before Jesus was crucified

b.      The place: the home of Simon the leper in Bethany (just over the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem)

c.       The one anointing:  Mary

d.      The anointment:  a precious and expensive ointment, in a precious and expensive jar

e.       The observers:  the 12 disciples, Martha and Lazarus – only one person is on record as approving what Mary did  

2.      A lesson in priorities (the things that are truly important)

a.       Consider the ways in which the Bible arranges priorities – Gen 1, the opening commandments of the Decalogue, Jesus response to “What is the greatest commandment?” the story before us

b.      Worship ought to come before everything else that we do

c.       Adoring God, anointing Jesus for burial, is not a waste – whether it consumes 5 minutes, 5 hours, five dollars, or all that we have

d.      Yet time and money alone do not constitute worship – it is the involvement of the heart that makes it worship – it is not worship because we sing, pray, preach, commune or give if it does not represent a heart that is adoring God  

3.      A lesson in giving

a.       The anointing was not what Mary had to do, but what she desired to do

b.      The value has been estimated at a year’s wages – she used it all and not just a portion

c.       “She did it for my burial” – with the proper intent, no gift is “wasted”

d.      Of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed, only one returned to give thanks; was the power of Jesus wasted on the other nine?

e.       Is the sacrifice of Jesus wasted if I do not become His follower?  

4.      A lesson in believing Jesus – many struggle to really believe that Jesus meant what He said

a.       Mary believed what Jesus said about dying

b.      Peter refuted Jesus’ death at Jerusalem – Matt 16:21

c.       Luke 6:20

d.      Matt 24:36

e.       Mark 16:16  

Conclusion

1.       Determine how you are going to honor Jesus

2.      Make a commitment that you will never again take lightly what Jesus has said

3.      Follow Jesus, follow him in baptism, follow him in life, follow him in death and follow him to heaven