RATHER BE POURED THAN SPILLED

I’ve been thinking lately about the women who willingly poured out her perfume on Jesus in Matthew 26.

“Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.” Matthew 26:6-7

This was probably the most valuable things she owned and she willingly poured it all out without hesitation on Jesus’s feet. Not even saying a word she gave Jesus her best.

There’s a difference in pouring out something and spilling it.

Pouring something has the intentionality behind it. There’s purpose to the outcome, valuing the content and the choice to give it. Spilling something is more accidental…unplanned and unprepared.

Jesus saw the way the women offered the BEST she had to Him. He saw what she did, what she gave as a sacrifice of great beauty. And not only did he see but He corrected the disciples response to the situation. [continue reading below in Matthew 26]

“The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” Matthew 26:8-9

The disciples only knew the logic of this world, the wisdom they had to lean on was the worlds view of how expensive the contents of the perfume was. I hadn’t yet understood the great value of Jesus’ and His death to come for their lives. Anytime I read the response of the disciples I find myself relativity the same…though I’d hope to respond differently I can see why they respond as they do.

“But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Matthew 26:10-13

As I’ve been studying this scripture I’ve been challenging myself to put good effort into the content that is in “my vessel” or “my jar”. So that whether I get the opportunity to pour our God’s kindness onto someone’s day or somehow I’ve got a crack and leak or spill something out unintentionally it’s still fragrant of His kindness and goodness.

These disciplines can be little or big but the goal and purpose is to show Jesus the best I can even in the simplest of ways.

This song is what I’ve also been mediating on “Alabaster Heart” Kalley Heiligenthal while processing this.