The Broken Vessel -- Posted 07-10-2009

Matthew 26:6-13

"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came a
woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head,
as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what
purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to
the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman?
for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you;
but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body,
she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be
preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told
for a memorial for her."

And again in Mark 14:3.

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came
a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she
brake the box, and poured it upon his head."

What was seen as an extreme waste to some was viewed by Jesus as the greatest form of
obedience and worship.

The woman in this account, Mary, was the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the
dead. It is very apparent that she highly revered the Lord and that she would do anything to
please Him.

The disciples were correct in saying that this vessel of spikenard, or very precious ointment,
was valuable. They had good intentions when saying that it could have been sold for a sum of
money and the money given to charity work. But, that was not the Lord's intention.

Mary realized that Jesus was deserving of the best she had to offer. She realized that He was
worthy of the highest praise and adoration. Mary knew Jesus longed for her unreserved love.

Therefore, she brought the most valuable possession at her disposal, the alabaster box, broke
it open, and poured out its contents upon the head of her master, Jesus Christ.

Was she showing off? Was she being over-zealous? Was she being wasteful? No, no, and no.

She was doing what every single soul must do at the feet of Jesus Christ. She was becoming
a "broken vessel".

The Psalmist David wrote in Psalm 51:17,

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou
wilt not despise."

The broken vessel represents man laying aside himself for the sake of Christ, and pouring out
all his praise and love upon a deserving and loving Saviour.

That is exactly what Mary did in Matthew 26. She opened the windows of her soul and poured
out herself in pure love and worship for Jesus.

Mary had a literal vessel, or box, that must first be broken, lest the contents be sealed inside
for eternity.

What are you keeping back in the vessel of your soul? Is there some area of your life that you
have not "broken" unto the Lord, pouring out its "contents" at His feet?

Could be "time". Could be "praise". Could be "service".

Be honest with yourself and God. Are there unbroken vessels in the storehouse of your heart?

My friend, why are you saving them? What purpose is there in holding onto them?

There is no area of your life that Jesus Christ should not have complete reign over.

Money, service, time, worship, praise, obedience,...

All things belong to Him. Therefore, you are merely "borrowing" these things.

That paycheck is not really "yours". That ministry position is not "yours". The minutes being
used to read this message are not "yours". All these things are on "loan" from the Lord.

Why then are so many stingy with these and other areas of their lives?

Your praise and worship are much more effectively displayed outwardly than kept in the walls
of your soul.

The true value is revealed when you "pour it out" before Him. Jesus yearns for your attention.
And yet, so many refuse to give Him theirs.

The truth of the matter is, He needs your full consecration and dedication before He can bless
you or pour out His Spirit upon you.

Why hold something in reserve? Why "keep back" anything from Jesus?

Mary didn't. She became a "broken vessel". She brought her absolute best to Him, and
completely "poured out" herself at His feet.

Will you?

II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of
salvation.)”  (emphasis mine)