December 9 - Willing To Be Broken.

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 on his head.”
 
She had watched Jesus raise her brother from the dead, and Mary of Bethany did what she could to show Christ her gratitude and servitude.
 
She brought what she had.
It may have seemed odd to bring a box full of ointment to the Saviour, but it was what she had. Mary’s alabaster box was precious to her.
 
Mark 14:8
“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”
 
What precious thing do we have in our possession that could be given for the Master to use? Are we willing to bring it to Jesus?
 
She was willing to sacrifice for Him.
Mary may not have had much, but the ointment she used to worship the Lord with was very costly. Judas mentioned that it could have been sold for more than three hundred pence. Christ told outraged Judas to leave her alone because she had wrought a good work on Him. She sacrificed so that He might get glory, and Christ acknowledged her great sacrifice for Him.
 
Mark 14:6,9
“And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me…Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
 
What are we willing to sacrifice in our lives so that Jesus Christ may receive glory? Many want to serve Him, but few want to sacrifice to do so.
 
She was willing to be broken for His glory.
Scripture tells us how the box of ointment was precious to Mary, yet she was willing to not only give it to Christ, but to brake it in order for it to be used.
 
Mark 14:3
“…having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.”
 
When we give what we have to the Lord to be used of Him, we must be willing for Him to break us. Sometimes we ask the Lord to use us while having a firm grasp on the things we love the most. Whether it be family, friends, or objects, we have a hard time releasing our hold on what is dear to our hearts.
 
Matthew 10:39
“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
 
If you let Christ have your life, you are sure to find it. The Bible says so. If you are holding on to something that is keeping you from fully surrendering to Christ and His will for your life, there is still time to make a difference. Are you willing to be broken so that He can use you?
 
 
Bible Reading:
Daniel 9-10  |  Hebrews 9  |  Psalm 132