Haver you ever noticed that often when a new building is being constructed a ground-breaking ceremony is held to announce what’s coming?
Sometimes an old building has to be demolished to make way for the new construction. In order for the new to be built the old must go. And so it is with us.
In Luke we meet “her” as she arrives to a party she wasn’t invited to attend.
The party host labeled her “a sinner” but when a sinner sets out to meet the Savior, nothing can stand in the way, not even the opinions of others.
Uninvited but on a mission she meanders through the crowd searching for the One she must find.
And there He is. She kneels before Him, quietly weeping then brings forth a remnant of her past – the alabaster jar that holds the sweet seductive scent used to capture her potential clients.
Suddenly she breaks the vessel holding “very costly perfume” and begins to anoint the Master’s feet.
This was her ground-breaking ceremony.
In breaking the jar that held her past she was now able to allow Him to make all things new. That’s what happens after an encounter with Christ. He never leaves us like He found us.
Her blessing came from the breaking. Breaking the jar broke the chains that kept her bound.
Simon, the Pharisee who was hosting this gathering silently thought “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39.
Religion has just shown its true colors, criticizing both the Anointed and those in need of anointing. This woman had no interest in religion but had a burning desire for a beautiful relationship with Christ. Yes there is a difference.
You see, many theologians speculate that “she” was a prostitute. And, I can’t help but wonder how Simon knew that? Had they met secretly behind closed doors? How’d she know where he lived and how did he know the “sort” she was?
When not criticizing or judging others, did Simon, one of the religious rulers of the day, sneak away for his own pleasure, choosing to justify somehow his own shortcomings? Simply points to ponder I suppose.
But this is her story not Simon’s.
For something to be a blessing, often it must first be broken.
In the shattering of her alabaster jar the shattered woman became fully complete, set free and “a new creature in Christ.” Her story was being rewritten. Her past only a faint memory of yesterday.
Each tear that fell ushered her closer to Christ as we see in Luke 7:37 – 50.
She was proclaiming victory over her past and announcing the birth of something new.
Before Christ could feed the bread to the five thousand, He first had to break it. Matt 14:13-21. Only when the bread was broken could it be shared and a blessing of nourishment to the crowd.
The sinful woman’s story became a testimony of His saving grace especially to those who knew her “when.” When Christ saved me, the change in me was so obvious and radical, those who knew me “before” couldn’t help but notice.
Every woman’s alabaster vessel contains different contents.
Mine held years of guilt, hurt, shame and resentment mingled with insecurity and a need for external validation/approval/applause and topped off with the fear of failure and caring what others thought.
Your jar may hold overwhelm, anxiety, frustration, exhaustion, disappointment, grief, comparison or just never feeling enough.
Healing and restoration is yours when you bring it, break it and empty it before Him .
I still have days when my alabaster jar threatens to fill again with frustration, panic, fears and offense.
It’s then I hear Him quietly inviting me to come and pour out my soul before Him. And in this moment of breaking comes the healing and the restoration.
Today we break ground.
Sandra Hubbard
Word Wisdom
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5:17
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Cor 12:9
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4
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