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b'The Alabaster JarSettting: Mark 14Bethany \\u2013 a small village 2 miles outside of JerusalemSimon the Lepers house \\u2013 12 Disciples Mary Martha, Lazarus (Judas- son of Simon - John 6:71) It was unlawful to eat with persons that had the leprosy, and it is more than probable, therefore, that this Simon had been healed.The event: Mary took an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly,(300 danarri about $1500 American dollars.) She broke the flask and poured it over his head and feet. Broke the jar - (to crush or smash) Why break a jar that can be opened? Disciples \\u2013 \\u201cAnd they scolded her\\u201d They were very angry and indignant as to snort like a horse. Judas Spoke (John 12:6 \\u2013 \\u201cHe said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.)Jesus response:Jesus said, \\u201cLeave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing tome. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and wheneveryou want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.\\u201dTo some it is a waste of value \\u2013 to Christ it is invaluableAll were offended yet all were blessed \\u2013 the atmosphere changed though they did not see itThe Cross is an offense to all mankind \\u2013 yet it is our salvationThe difference of a fragrance \\u2013 to some a waste to some a blessing.2 Cor. 2:15-16 - For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?The Moment of anointing:This breaking sets in motion the sacrifice of Christ.It is here that Judas betrays Christ.It is when Christ is exalted above all else that the enemy of Christ is enraged. (True worship sets apart those who love and hate Christ.)The price of a lasting testimony::9 - And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.\\u201dFor $1500 \\u2013 2,000 her act has lasted 2015 years and more.It wasn\\u2019t the money it was the love and worship of Christ which is eternal. How insignificant is our money. God wants your heart.Broken things:\\u201cGod uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.\\u201d- Vance Havner 1. Tablets of stone broken \\u2013 a new covenant written on our hearts \\u2013 Jesus the sacrifice2. Gideons army of broken pitchers hidden light - The three hundred men went with Gideon to the camp of the Midianites, blew their shofars and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. The enemy army fled and Gideon\\u2019s tiny band was victorious.3. What God can do with a broken life.You cannot get to the heart of a man until he is broken of ego and self righteousness. We are but alabaster jars that need to be broken.There is so much difference between the container and the contents. Holy Spirit.Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.The Parade of Broken souls2 Cor. 2:15 \\u2013\\u201cBut thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ\\u2019s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; \\u201cJust as the fragrance from the Triumph parade made as the assembly would pass by and the horses hooves would crush the fragrant flowers that were placed in the road. A powerful aroma would fill the air that was a strong, sweet smell. God wants us to have that same sweet aroma of the knowledge of God in our lives.'