~ "the alabaster box..."

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. (Luke 7: 27-28)

How precious was Jesus to this woman that she would wash his feet with her tears and try them with her hair? Wanting only forgiveness for her sins and to be made whole, this woman approached Jesus though being told to go away!

The oils in her box were probably used for cleansing (they didn't bathe much back then) - this woman was said to be a prostitute. I think she used them to spruce herself up between appointments. The act of pouring out the oils onto Jesus shows a true desire to be saved and cleansed of her sins. Our sin is what separates us from God. Christ paid the price for that sin on Calvary. We only need to go to him in prayer and ask for forgiveness.

The oil in the alabaster box could represent the sins we carry inside of us. We want to pour them out at Christ's feet and be forgiven. I know for myself, the changes I've made in my life make me who I am now, still a sinner, but not the sinner I once was. Christ's love has changed me and made me a better person. Without him, I would have nothing and would have spent my eternity in the fires of hell. I am a child of God (as are you) and I will inherit many wonderful things in heaven (as will you), but I will have to suffer through this human existence first (as do you)! Until that day arrives, we must battle the temptation to sin every day...and Christ will forgive us - EVERY DAY! Make him the center fold of your heart and your soul and you will be washing his feet with you tears! He knows our pain, he fills our need for grace and mercy! Let his life force flow within you! What is in your alabaster box that you have yet to take to him?