Why Alabaster? Breaking the Jar to Release the Fragrance of Worship
The Mystery of Alabaster
The story of the alabaster jar holds profound spiritual truths. In Matthew 26:6-13, we read about Mary of Bethany breaking an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and anointing Jesus. This act of worship is timeless, and its significance transcends the immediate event. Why alabaster? What does it represent, and how does it reflect our spiritual journey?
The alabaster jar represents a life surrendered to Christ. Its breaking signifies the release of the fragrance of worship and the breaking of bondages that hold us back from fulfilling our divine purpose. Let us explore the deep layers of this story and understand what it means to break our own alabaster jars at the feet of Jesus.
1. The Value of Alabaster: Offering the Best to the Lord
a. Alabaster is Expensive
The first characteristic of alabaster is its value. The perfume inside the jar was worth a year’s wages, symbolizing an offering of great cost (Mark 14:3-5). Mary’s act of breaking the jar demonstrates her willingness to give her best to Jesus, holding nothing back.
In 2 Samuel 24:24, King David says:
“I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
True worship is sacrificial. It involves giving God our time, resources, and lives, no matter the cost.
b. What is Your Alabaster?
Each of us has something of great value—our talents, time, or possessions. The question is: are we willing to offer it all to Jesus? Mary’s act challenges us to evaluate whether we are holding anything back in our worship.
2. The Fragility of Alabaster: Breaking to Release
a. Alabaster is Easy to Break
Alabaster jars are fragile, much like our lives. Though they hold great value, their true worth is only revealed when broken. The jar represents the hindrances, fears, and insecurities that prevent us from fully surrendering to God.
2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
b. Breaking the Hindrances
Mary’s act of breaking the jar signifies the breaking of all that restrains us. Fear, societal expectations, or feelings of inadequacy may act as “jars” that contain the fragrance of our worship. Unless we break these jars, the fragrance cannot be released.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 61:1:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
The breaking of alabaster represents freedom from bondage and the release of our true purpose in Christ.
3. Breaking Religion and General Bondage
a. Religion as a Barrier
The alabaster jar also symbolizes religious and cultural bondage. In the context of Mary’s time, religious leaders and societal norms would have criticized her extravagant act of worship. The ruler of the synagogue in Luke 13:14 displayed this legalistic mindset, prioritizing tradition over the move of God.
Jesus calls us to break free from religion and embrace a relationship with Him. Colossians 2:20-23 warns against following human rules and regulations that lack spiritual value.
b. Breaking Generational Curses
For those who come from backgrounds of idol worship or generational curses, the act of breaking the alabaster jar is symbolic of renouncing all ties to unrighteousness. It is a declaration of Jesus’ dominion over our lives. Galatians 3:13 assures us:
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’”
Breaking the jar signifies the breaking of these curses and stepping into the freedom and blessings of God’s kingdom.
4. The Fragrance of Worship: A Sweet Aroma to the Lord
a. Worship as Fragrance
When Mary broke the jar, the perfume filled the room (John 12:3). This fragrance represents the worship that rises to God when we surrender fully. Revelation 5:8 speaks of the prayers of the saints as incense before God, illustrating how our worship pleases Him.
b. Worship in Spirit and Truth
In John 4:23-24, Jesus says:
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
True worship is not confined to rituals or locations but flows from a heart fully surrendered to God.
5. Laying the Head: Surrender and Connection to Heaven
a. Mary’s Surrender at Jesus’ Feet
Mary’s act of laying her head at Jesus’ feet symbolizes total surrender. It reflects her acknowledgment of His lordship and her dependence on Him. This mirrors Jacob’s experience in Genesis 28:12, where he laid his head on a stone and saw a vision of a ladder connecting heaven and earth.
b. Connection to Heaven
Surrendering at Jesus’ feet establishes a divine connection. Matthew 11:28-29 invites us:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Through surrender, we experience intimacy with God and access the blessings of His kingdom.
6. The Opposition to Breaking the Jar
a. Criticism from Others
Mary faced criticism for her act of worship, as seen in Mark 14:4-5:
“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.”
Similarly, when we break our jars in worship, we may face criticism or misunderstanding. But Jesus defended Mary, saying:
“She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14:6).
b. Overcoming Opposition
Romans 12:1 encourages us:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Our worship should not be hindered by the opinions of others.
7. The Eternal Impact of Breaking the Jar
a. A Legacy of Worship
Jesus declared that Mary’s act would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached (Matthew 26:13). This highlights the eternal significance of our worship when it is done in spirit and truth.
b. Worship as a Weapon
Breaking the jar is not only an act of worship but also a spiritual weapon. Psalm 149:6-9 says:
“May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples… to carry out the sentence written against them—this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the Lord.”
Our worship has the power to break strongholds and bring victory.
Breaking Your Alabaster Jar
Breaking the alabaster jar is a call to complete surrender, sacrificial worship, and breaking free from all that hinders us from fulfilling God’s purpose. Like Mary, let us bring our most valuable offering to Jesus and lay it at His feet.
The fragrance of our worship will rise to heaven, pleasing the Lord and impacting those around us. Let us declare, as Paul did in Philippians 3:8:
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”