She brought Jesus more than an Alabaster Box

This piece has been revised from an earlier version. Apologies.

What was an alabaster box or jar?

Alabaster jars were often made from a precious stone found in Israel. This stone resembles marble, and were extremely expensive. These jars contained ointments, oils and perfume. The thick stone prevented the aroma from escaping and kept the perfume from spoiling. The shape of the jar often had a long neck and a sealed top. The top had to be broken to open, which allowed it to be used only once.  Some believe that women who owned these jars were usually prostitutes who used the smell to lure in men, or to cover up their own odor. However, several women owned many different types of perfumes. Sources for water were limited, so they used these oils and ointments for daily hygiene. 

The story from Luke 2:27 is one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible. Jesus was having dinner with a pharisee (Simon) and a lowly woman came to him with her alabaster box of expensive perfume. (It seems that poor people from the street could gather around and beg for scraps of food from these dinners) This woman, who is unnamed,  washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her long hair. Then poured out upon him, perhaps the only worthy item she possessed, her perfume from the alabaster box. Her heart cried out, he forgave her sins without a word passing between them. Heartfelt emotion from her and an all knowing God forgave her her sins. 

My prayer for you is that you might consider reading this awesome story below and can be found in the KJV of the Holy Bible.

Luke 7:37  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,

7:38  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.

7:39  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

7:40  And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

7:41  There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

7:42  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

7:43  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

7:45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

7:46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

7:48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

7:49  And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

7:50  And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

He gave his life for our sins that we may have everlasting life.

JOHN 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life."

Happy Easter and May God bless you on your life's journey.

Update on my current novel. I'm in what I hope is my final edit of Missing: Sweet Baby James. Set in my beloved WV. My target date for finishing is mid to end of summer. Prayers and good thoughts, please. Thanks. 

Comments always welcome!