What A Waste! (1): The Alabaster Jar

Matthew 26:7-8 | “A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining on the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘why this waste?‘”

The four gospels all give an account of a woman who poured precious perfume worth a year’s wages on Jesus. Today’s post will focus on the reaction of the people who saw her make that sacrifice. In disgust, they called it a waste! But Jesus had a different interpretation of her action. He declared that the woman had done a beautiful thing to him; she had prepared him for burial; and that wherever the gospel is preached, her story will be told in memory of her! (Matthew 26:10-13)

What’s the lesson here? If you have been chosen and set apart by the Father — a Consecrated One — your life will be seen as a waste by the world. Because the Holy Spirit will lead you to make choices and sacrifices that look foolish and wasteful to folks around you. But be encouraged, because what they call a waste is actually a sacrifice of sweet smelling fragrance to the Lord.(2 Corinthians 2:16) Bliss be with you.