MORE THAN A YEAR'S WAGE

Enjoy an interesting story of the Alabaster Jar of perfume. Who made a remarkable impact with it?

Also find out what made her unique!

GOLDEN NEWS ARTICLE

MORE THAN A YEAR'S WAGES

While Jesus was in Bethany sitting at the table in the home of Simon the leper, a woman arrived with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on his head.

Reference: Mark 14:4-5 New International Version (NIV 2011 Edition)

'Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.'

Again let's look at what this perfume was made of: Pure nard! According to study, it is a perennial herb harvested in the Himalayas. Half a litre of it! And the jar itself, made of translucent gemstones, was probably a family heirloom. Its possible that the alabaster jar of perfume represented every penny of this woman's life savings. Plain and simple, it was this woman's most precious possession.

Following the written estimate of two gospel writers, the value of this alabaster jar of perfume is three hundred denarii - the equivalent of an entire year's salary. Yet the Bible recorded in Mark 14:3 (NIV) that, 'She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.' She poured it out on Him until the very last drop. Breaking the bottle was her way of breaking with the past and moving ahead to a greater and glorious future. When she received a greater awareness of God's grace, she was willing to give it all away.

For most of us, the alabaster jar of perfume is money. It's our nest egg. It's our pay cheque and so on. The question is: if God prompted you to give it all away, would you be willing to break your alabaster jar and pour it all at the feet of Jesus? Are you willing to give it all away? When this woman broke the alabaster jar, the disciples reacted, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor. And they rebuked her harshly' (Mark 14:5 NIV). It's still happens in our world today.

The disciples thought she was very stupid and foolish. 'Why this waste?', 'they harshly reacted.' How could a sensible person pour her costly perfume down the drain in the name of gracing Jesus' head and feet? Why couldn't she sell it for more than a year’s wages and give the money to the poor? They really rebuked her in a harsh manner. We still hear and witness that today. Don't we? To the disciples, it was a waste, but to Jesus, it was a beautiful thing (see Mark 14:6 NIV). Yes, Jesus calmly corrected them.

Then He went further to say, 'Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her' (Mark 14:9 NIV 2011 Edition). Indeed no one can spot potentials like Jesus. That's because He's the One who gave it to us in the first place. And that's why He will never give up on you. The question is how serious do you desire a change? Serious enough to make a move? make a sacrificial giving? pray all through? Read and meditate on God's Word? Give your life savings to a kingdom cause?

Golden news today: Taking the path of least resistance, or playing it safe won't get you where you need to be. But if you go out of your way for God, God will go out of His way just for you!

Scripture Reading - Deuteronomy 16:17; Psalm 4:5; Mathew 6:21; Luke 7:37-38.

Guided Prayer::

Thank you Father for giving me opportunities to be generous and dedicated to your Kingdom cause. I live true to my nature and calling in Christ as I honour you with my substance and offer sacrifices of righteousness to you. All of your grace abound toward me and I have sufficiency in all things and for every good work in Jesus' Name, Amen!

Pastor EJC

SENSE OF GRACE