In this short series, we’ll spend a few minutes every day meditating on Jesus’ journey to the Cross. From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Day, this is a sacred week in the Christian calendar—a week that changed everything. 

 

A Price to Pay

 

Read: Matthew 26:6-10

 

An alabaster jar. Broken.

Perfume. Poured out.

A seemingly simple act. Yet it is commended by Jesus and recorded for posterity.

As Jesus was in Bethany, Mary entered the home where he was staying and anointed His head with very expensive oil.

She flouted social etiquette, disregarded the economics of her actions, and ignored the remarks of the men in the room. 

Mary worshipped like no one was watching.

 

She put everything on the line for Jesus. 

It wasn’t a “reasonable” type of worship. 

It was a risk to her reputation.

 

But Mary understood something: She knew that Jesus was worth her everything.

Yet, history records that on the very same night, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Was he disillusioned that this Messiah wouldn’t save them from Roman oppression? Was he fearful that he would be hunted down once this Rabbi was killed? We don’t know what motivated him. But Judas thought Jesus was worth only a handful of silver coins.

That leaves us with the question: Who is Jesus to me? Is He worth my everything?

What would I be willing to lay down for Him? 

I’m reminded of the verse in 2 Samuel where King David insists on paying for the land on which he wanted to build an altar. He says: “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

True worship involves sacrifice.

And real sacrifice costs us something. 

As we meditate on the story of the woman with the alabaster jar, what might God be prompting us to sacrifice so we may draw nearer to Him?

Instead of a closing prayer today, perhaps you could listen to this song and make it your prayer today. It’s a “dated” song, but let the lyrics wash over you as you declare: “If I’m called to sacrifice, it will be worthy of my Christ, I will not offer anything that costs me nothing.” 

 

 

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