Break The Box!

"And while He [Jesus] was in Bethany, a guest in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at a table, a woman came with an alabaster box of ointment (perfume) of pure nard , very costly and precious; and she broke the jar and poured the perfume over His head.

But there were some who were moved with indignation and said to themselves, 'To what purpose was the ointment (perfume) wasted? For it was possible to have sold this perfume for more than 300 denarii [a laboring man's wages for a year] and to have given the money to the poor.' And they censured and reproved her.

But Jesus said, "Leave her alone; why are you troubling her? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me [praiseworthy and noble]. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have Me. She has done what she could; she came beforehand to anoint My body for burial. And surely I tell you, wherever the Good News (Gospel) is proclaimed in the entire world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
                                                               Mark 14:3-9




It was six days before the Passover, which means the date was the Friday before the triumphal entry (John 12:1). This story is placed right in the middle of Judas' betrayal and the account of the plots to arrest Jesus. Mark does this to contrast the treachery of Judas and the religious leaders with the love and loyalty of Mary. It's as if the ugliness of their sins and actions highlights the beauty of her sacrifice all the more.

John tells us that this is Mary of  Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary was very close to Jesus and she loved Him very much. She wanted to express this love because He was going to the cross for her. She prepared His body for burial as she anointed His head and His feet.

Her sacrifice was lavish and expensive. At that time, spikenard was imported from India and a whole jar would have cost the equivalent of a whole year's salary. Yet she unashamedly worshipped and loved her Lord. As a result, Jesus commended Mary and willingly accepted her extravagant gift.

There was absolutely no other explanation for this unselfish act except for the true love and devotion that Mary had towards Jesus. Faith and love propelled her to give her very best and she was content with only His approval, knowing that he understood her heart and was blessed by her sacrifice. She broke the box and it is that sacrifice still today that blesses and continues to perpetuate a sweet aroma to all who remember.

Just as Mary of Bethany lived in a unique time in history, so do followers of Christ today. Whether we recognize it or not, we are very close to ushering in the Second coming of Christ. As we witness events in this world growing increasingly wicked, we, too, have the opportunity to shine brightly in contrast to the darkness around us.

Sacrifice seems to be a concept that eludes many. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word sacrifice means, "the act or ceremony of making an offering to God; something offered;  the act of giving up something for the sake of someone or something else, especially to help others". The Latin word sacer means "holy", so true sacrifice is that which is offered up to God typically for the sake of others.

In a "me-centered" culture, we somehow have lost the essence of sacrifice. Many habitually consider themselves and their nucleus of concerns as all that exists in this world. Yet, there is so much more! The extension of God's kingdom is paramount in this time and we would do well to focus on that.

If self is the focal point, then there is a barrier between our desires and the purposes of God. Imagine that the barrier becomes a box that self-contains and keeps out the truly important plans that God has for us. The box that houses our brains must be broken in order to shift from a mind that serves self to a mind that seeks to serve God. We were not placed on this earth to be consumers of Christianity; we were placed here to advance and extend the Kingdom of God. And that will not happen until we learn to effectively sacrifice unto the Lord.

Because God placed His Spirit within us, "His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue)" (2 Peter 1:3). This means that we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), and, as we mature, we exemplify more and more of the characteristics of Jesus. Therefore, each day we should reveal His beauty and grace in increasing measure.

We do this by sacrificing our time, service, praise, submission, and even our tears. We do this by realizing it is not about us. We do this by truly understanding the times in which we live and what we need to do in light of that knowledge.

Being Spirit-minded and mature is who we are called to be. Whatever journey God has given you to traverse, remember that every bit of it is designed to bring discipline and greater spiritual mindedness. This occurs so that we may share in His holiness and it will ultimately "yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

We have to think about the future and what it will be like 100 years from now. If it won't matter then, it shouldn't matter now. Thomas a' Kempis said, "Set aside the things of time, and seek those of eternity."

When the apostle, Paul, wrote, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according too the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5), he was referring to our thoughts, affections, and desires. So, either we walk in unity with the desires of God or we find ourselves in rebellion to His will and His ways. Too many believers today think they are in unity with God, when, in fact, the very god that they serve is themselves.

There are three practical ways we can break the box of carnality in our lives:
               1. We fill our minds with God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16)
               2. We ask for the help of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:18)
               3. We practice the presence of the Holy Spirit, remembering He is with us always
                   (John 14:16)

We live in exciting times and I believe it is "all hands on deck". Not one of us are here at this time and season by chance, and not one of us have an insignificant role to play. We are chosen, called, empowered, and accompanied by an Almighty God. Like Mary of Bethany, all we have to do is to "break the box"!


"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most about the next."
                                                              C.S. Lewis