"Priceless Vessels"

 Reflections4Life™ February 26, 2023

“Priceless Vessels”

“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27

Scripture Contemplation: Luke 7; Mark 14; Colossians 1; Matthew 22:37; Romans 5; 1 John 2

©Ruthe McDonald.

To God, it does not matter what we look like, what our past entails, or what we may be facing or involved with at this very moment. He has already forgiven us and wants us to recognize that our sins do not dictate who we are. Nor does it make His love and forgiveness conditional. It is what we believe about ourselves that hinders or motivates us. The eyes of the Lord are always on us. When we accept Christ and learn of His ways, we become that precious Alabaster jar that holds the most expensive and fragrant anointing of Christ within.

I declare this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your hearts, minds, and souls. I urge you to take the time this week to spend in the precious presence of God. Allow Him to pour into you His love and anointing. The anointing that destroys every yoke and lifts every burden and gets us through all difficulties and adverse times. God has created you to be a precious vessel for His anointing, His spirit, and His power. That, in itself, makes you quite valuable. You just have to believe it.

The Alabaster Jar

Luke 7:37-38 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

Alabaster Jars were expensive jars hewn from precious stones that often gave the jars the appearance of marble. Each jar held rare ointments, oils, and perfumes. The Alabaster jars contained the fragrance of their contents until broken open; making the vessels expensive since they only could be used once. In the time of Jesus, unmarried women in possession of an Alabaster jar(s), were likely a prostitute. They used the oils/ointments to either lure men or cover any odor since sources of water were limited.

When the woman of the city came before Jesus, washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, then anointed His feet with the ointment, it symbolized her given all she had. It represented, also, the forgiveness she was seeking, and the coming crucifixion. Those around complained about the waste she made, while others questioned if Jesus was a Prophet, allowing a prostitute to touch Him in such a manner.

Yet Jesus, understanding and hearing the thoughts and words of the Pharisees around, admonished them, showing their lack of service and understanding of who He is. This woman who had many sins had committed many offenses, humbled herself, and gave all she had, recognizing who He is—the Son of God. He forgave her of all her sins. He filled her with love, forgiveness, and hope. The Holy Spirit filled her; anointing her with the power to overcome her past. And the ability to move on to the promises of God.

Priceless Vessels

1 John 3:20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Beloveds, today we are the Alabaster Jar. We are the precious and priceless vessels that God has chosen to pour His anointing into, as well as, the Holy Spirit. It does not matter how we began or where we began, only that God has chosen us, forgiven us, and poured Himself and His anointing into us. God is in us. He loves us, no matter what our journey is or has been.

In this life, we will face many trials. We will have committed many sins and offenses. Yet God forgives us and sees the blood of Jesus that covers us. When God has called us and we answer and begin to study His word, meditate, pray, and seek Him with all of our heart, and soul, He fills us with His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. We are already filled with His power the moment we accept Him into our hearts. As we yield to the Lord, He teaches us how to use that power, and how to walk in it.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Just like the Woman

As the woman came before God, tired of her past and the sins she lived in, she recognized Jesus and saw what He did for others. Her desperation to be released from the bondage she was in, had her coming with everything she had, despite the ridicule and name-calling, hoping He may be able to do for her as He did for countless others. She was at a low place in her life, crying out that if Jesus was true, who many others said He was, then this was her last chance for peace from her already torrid life’s journey.

The same anguish resides in many of us. We are desperate for the touch of God, a change in our lives, and a chance to be free from heaviness, heartaches, and disappointments. Free from the ridicule and judgment of others. Our life’s journey has been difficult, leaving many jaded and empty. Yet, there remains for many a spark of hope.

It is that hope that pushes us forward, seeking God to relieve us and change our circumstances. We cry out and pour out our souls to God. He hears us, Beloved. He has heard and answered, even though it may not feel like it. The answers will manifest if we do not give up. We are stronger than we think. We are greater than we know. God has filled us with His power, His love, and His anointing that is new every day. This is why the enemy seeks to destroy us and twist our thoughts concerning our lives. The enemy will throw our past and shortcomings at us; reminding us of our failures. However, God says, as Jesus spoke of that woman, He has seen our hearts. He knows the truth and we have touched Him with our tears, our pain, and our sincerity.

My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. God has forgiven us and is reshaping and molding us into precious vessels of honor, priceless vessels that hold His anointing, His Spirit, His truth, love, and power. We have to remember and remind ourselves because, like the Pharisees, the enemy seeks to remind us of our past. Yet God says, we are brand new in Him and are now priceless vessels of honor filled with His anointing and power that can and will destroy the enemy. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2023 Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.