Are You a Broken Vessel?
"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." (
This touching story of
how Yeshua (Jesus) was anointed before His crucifixion carries a beautiful
illustration that has ministered to believers time and again.
I have wondered why the
alabaster box needed to be broken when Mary could have simply opened it and
poured out the nard; (extremely expensive and precious perfume which might have
been Mary's dowry).
One commentator said
that she refused to use that box for any other purpose after anointing Him.
That would make sense if it was Mary's dowry because it would be an expression
of a bridal vow to Yeshua and no one else.
But whatever the motive
in her heart, Mary's example speaks powerfully of the total devotion and
commitment her soul had for Yeshua, her will to give the best of everything she
had; and it speaks of brokenness followed by anointing and its beautiful
fragrance.
So I believe this act is
an illustration meant to encourage every devoted soul whose offering of herself
brings circumstances which "break" her. The fragrance of perfume
following the breaking "fills the room".
Broken people
"smell" different. Their humility and love are an ambiance that is
unmistakable. Being broken before the Lord affects everyone around...as the
Apostle Paul said, "... we are a
fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;" [2
Corinthians 2:15]. And Paul was a broken man.
We should never be
ashamed to be broken, even if we are criticized by those around us, as Mary
was. The Lord's commendation of her has traveled around the world for 2,000
years and inspired millions of believers in circumstances which break them.
God will not deny a
broken heart and a contrite spirit. When we offer ourselves and our most
precious things, whether they be material, personal, dreams, longings, loved
ones, or our very destinies, on the altar of sacrifice, it is then that God’s
anointing will be greatest upon us. It will pour out of us like the ointment
from that broken alabaster box -- and His pleasure in us will "fill the
room".
Know that when you offer
your best to the Lord your hard beautiful stone box will be broken, and after
that, the fragrance of your life will be beautiful wherever you go.
Would you want God to change your life?
“Father
God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I
am truly sorry. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please
forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I
believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the
dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I
invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from
this day forward. Thank You that according to Your Word, I am now born again.
Please
send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of
my life. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
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God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an
amazing change in your own life through a relationship with His
Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following prayer:
“Father
God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I
am truly sorry. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please
forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I
believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the
dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I
invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from
this day forward. Thank You that according to Your Word, I am now born again.
Please
send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of
my life. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
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“I Need Thee Every Hour”
Annie S. Hawks Robert Lowry
lyrics
1
I need thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine
can peace afford.
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine
can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need thee, O I need thee,
every hour I need thee.
O bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee.
I need thee, O I need thee,
every hour I need thee.
O bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee.
2
I need thee every hour;
stay thou near by;
temptations lose their power
when thou art nigh. [Refrain]
stay thou near by;
temptations lose their power
when thou art nigh. [Refrain]
3
I need thee every hour,
in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide,
or life is vain. [Refrain]
in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide,
or life is vain. [Refrain]
4
I need thee every hour;
teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises
in me fulfill. [Refrain]
teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises
in me fulfill. [Refrain]
5
I need thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed,
thou Blessed Son! [Refrain]
Most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed,
thou Blessed Son! [Refrain]
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