Manna in the Morning Broken Alabaster Boxes
E.A. Johnston teaches that true discipleship requires believers to break their own selves like a broken alabaster box, pouring out their lives in self-sacrifice to bring a fragrant blessing to others.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston reflects on the biblical account of Mary breaking the alabaster box to anoint Jesus. He draws a spiritual parallel to the believer’s life, emphasizing the necessity of self-sacrifice and surrender to God. Johnston encourages Christians to live fragrant lives that bless others by fully pouring out themselves in service and love.
Full Transcript
Hello friends, this is manna in the morning and our devotion today is broken alabaster boxes our scripture passages found in the Gospel of Mark and chapter 14 and in verse 3 we see in God's Word and Being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper as he said at meat There came a woman having a alabaster box of ointment of spikenard Very precious and she break the box and poured it on his head This woman was Mary and this box of ointment was very precious our passage states in John's gospel record of this same account. He notes that a pound of spikenard was very costly Spikenard was a much-valued perfume that grew from the root of a Indian plant from the Himalayan Mountains But notice friends the alabaster box had first to be broken Before the sweet aroma could fill the entire house and be a blessing and this act of Mary speaks of how Followers of Christ must be willing To give their very best to him and pour their lives out for him and the sake of the gospel God's eyes are continually searching the earth for those rare individuals who are willing to sacrifice all for him and who live in a different atmosphere By annihilating self with the cross and whose lives are broken alabaster boxes From which fragrances arise to the heavens from the broken pieces of selflessness and self-sacrifice These fragrant lives will be a blessing to all who come in contact with them Great God Make us more fragrant for thee in lives of usefulness to thee I pray this in the strong name of the Lord Jesus Christ Amen
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Introduction to the story of the broken alabaster box
- Description of the precious spikenard ointment
- Significance of the woman’s act of breaking the box
-
II
- Symbolism of the broken alabaster box in Christian life
- The necessity of self-sacrifice and surrender
- Living a life fragrant to God and others
-
III
- God’s search for those willing to sacrifice all
- The cross as the means to annihilate self
- The blessing that comes from a life poured out for Christ
Key Quotes
“The alabaster box had first to be broken before the sweet aroma could fill the entire house and be a blessing.” — E.A. Johnston
“God's eyes are continually searching the earth for those rare individuals who are willing to sacrifice all for Him.” — E.A. Johnston
“These fragrant lives will be a blessing to all who come in contact with them.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Be willing to break your own selfish desires to serve God fully.
- Offer your most precious resources and time as an act of worship.
- Live a life that blesses others through self-sacrifice and love.