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Choosing the best part of Christ
Luke 7:37 (KJV)
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought
an alabaster box of ointment,
ALABASTER occurs only in the New Testament in connection with the box of "ointment of spikenard very precious,"
with the contents of which a woman anointed the head of Jesus as he sat at supper in the house of Simon the leper (Matthew
26:7; Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37). These boxes were made from a stone found near Alabastron in Egypt, and from this circumstance
the Greeks gave them the name of the city where they were made. The name was then given to the stone of which they were made;
and finally to all perfume vessels, of whatever material they were formed. The woman "broke" the vessel; i.e., she
broke off, as was usually done, the long and narrow neck so as to reach the contents. This stone resembles marble, but is
softer in its texture, and hence very easily wrought into boxes. Mark says (Mark 14:5) that this box of ointment was worth
more than 300 pence, i.e., denarii, each of the value of seven pence halfpenny of our money, and therefore worth about 10
pounds. But if we take the denarius as the day's wage of a laborers (Matthew 20:2), say two shillings of our money, then the
whole would be worth about 30 pounds, so costly was Mary's offering.
　
EATING The ancient Hebrews would not eat with the Egyptians (Genesis 43:32).
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves:
because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
In the time of our Lord, they would not eat with Samaritans (John 4:9)
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, how is it that thou, being a Jew, asks drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?
for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
, and were astonished that he ate with publicans and sinners (Matthew 9:11).
Matthew 9:11
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
The Hebrews originally sat at table, but afterwards adopted the Persian and Chaldean practice of reclining (Luke 7:36-50).
Luke 7:36-50
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he(Jesus) went into the Pharisee's house, and sat
down to meat.
[37] And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house,
brought an alabaster box of ointment,
[38] And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs
of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
[39] Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet,
would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches' him: for she is a sinner.
[40] And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
[41] There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
[42] And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
[43] Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
[44] And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me
no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
[45] Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] My head with
oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
[47] Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven,
the same loveth little.
[48] And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
[49] And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, who is this that forgives sins also?
[50] And he said to the woman, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
This Woman is a Sinner. What was it that caused her to be identified as a Sinner?. Was it the reputation that she had
among the community?. Was she of no value to anyone?. I believe that she had the misfortune, that of man, of being a woman
first of all, second she was not born into the lineage of those that had made themselves of the elite ones.
We want to see here the fact that, when we feel sometime that our lives are heading in the wrong direction, this is when
Satan can attack and do the most damage. If Satan can cause us to believe that we are not worth much, and this is mush the
case, we are not worth very much in our own values, yet what we are is what the creation of God and though it may not appear
to some that we will ever be of any value, God can, and does take that which is disqualified by others and can take that and
with the forgiveness., can take the impossible, make out of it a vessel fit for the master’s use.
There is a saying, that there is a little good in everyone, this is true, John said that he (JESUS) was the light that
lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:9 (KJV)
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
When we take our first breath, this is the time of innocence. This is when the breath of God comes into that small innocence
individual. God, with that breath of air, gives that child a measure of faith.
Romans 12:3 (KJV)
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
This child responds by trusting in the senses that is given to it to reach to the mother and suck on her breast. Most
today do not feed their young that way, but if they would lay the baby in the mother’s bosom, this child would naturally
nurse the mother’s breast.
With the ways of society, that is not convenient , and the child is fed from a substitute means. It is put on a formula
that is made of other that what God has given to the mother in her body.
This is the way it is with those that are born of God in the Spirit. As soon as they come to God, mankind wants to substitute
the sincere milk for a man made experience.
1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
I remember the time shortly after I come to Jesus Christ and asked to be saved, afterwards I had a desire for the knowledge
of the word. I would read sometimes all night long. I thank God that he put in me the desire to know him through his word.
1 Tim. 2:4 (KJV)
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
The young infant does have faith in its mother and that mother builds a lasting connection, that would take a lot of effort
and erroneous efforts, such a willful and continuous harm to be inflicted upon that child, to cause the bond between the mother
and child to be broken. This is the way it is when we come to God. Like the mother’s love toward her child, God
loves and has bonded himself to us. Those around us, through their ignorant ways and efforts, will be instrumental in causing
us to be turned into the type of person that would have to be rescued from harm.
Jesus has come to rescue us from that Harm. This woman that was here in the Pharisee’s house, she wasn’t
supposed to be there in the first place, according to traditions and rules that mankind had set up. She took a risk, yet I
guess we could say that it was not a risk. Anytime when we are approaching the Lord, man may think otherwise, but that it
the time that God has given us, and it is our right as an individual to come to God at anytime we feel the need to approach
God.
I believe this Pharisee had no control in this situation. We must ever be aware that when the stage is set for us to receive
from God, we need to act accordingly with confidence.
Most of us that live in today’s society, have our routines mapped out, when we are to respond to any given situation.
We have a time that we go to work, a time that we go to shop. Our lives are regulated by a time cycle. This is not a bad thing.
We do need to be organized so that our efforts can flow as smooth as possible.
Sometimes organization can be detrimental. especially when it becomes a tool for determining the outcome of each individuals
God given privileges.
In the case of this situation where the woman was entering the house of the Pharisee's house, she was in the eyes of those
that thought of themselves more highly than they ought. She was a sinner, they were the instruments of righteousness, or as
they thought. This woman, in the eyes of these individuals, was not worthy to even enter the house of the Pharisee. She determined
that all the self exaltation, self righteousness that they had made themselves into, was not going to stop here from getting
close to the one that had the answer to all of her insufficient values. When we come to the time that we have no rights and
are denied access the privileged, we must take risks in order to overcome our own insufficient ability.
Sometime when we decide to overcome the insufficient ability’s, this cost us a great price. We must determine
that, if something is worth the price, then we must, at all cost, attain that goal. This is what this woman did. She had gotten
this precious ointment in hopes that one day she could , with this ointment, find some way or somehow, some security in using
it to gain access to elevating herself to a position of self value. We don’t know what her purpose was in attaining
the oil, or just how she obtained it. She could have gotten it in many different ways and for many different purposes. We
do know that she was able to recognize that when the occasion came by her way, she was, and had the ability to recognize that
this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to grab it.
She made a statement that day that has given mankind hope for ages to come, and is giving that same hope to us in this
hour.
Let me say that, as great is preaching the word, We today do not realize the value in the messages that is brought in
the most humble, yet simple way. This was a memorial to this underprivileged individual. She has since, lived on in the hearts
of those that have, in such manner, been disqualified by society.
This woman, not only loved in words, she loved in truth. She was able to see and touch the truth and was blessed of the
better. Yet on the other hand, this Simon, who thought that she was inferior to him, had a sharp rebuke from the one that
was truth.
We can recall that offerings that were made to God by two brother, Cain and Abel. We can here see why Cain was wroth and
choose to depart from the presence of God. Abel on the other hand wanted to get Close to the truth and found the way, just
as this woman found a way to gain the acceptance of God’s blessings.
This Pharisee wanted to have the privileges of having this man called Jesus to set down in his home and to be able to
eat with him. I feel certain that he thought everyone would praise him for having had in his house the one that all were seeking
after. For just what purpose he had in mind, we don’t know for sure, for no one can know the mind of man.
We do know that the one there that day had the ability to know, not only the mind of these, he had the ability to search
the heart also and to determine what was taking place.
Romans 8:27 (KJV)
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints
according to the will of God.
First of all, I, don’t believe this was just a chance, this was predestined from the foundations of the world,
God is always on time in every given purpose that he has purposed.
Simon wanted to gain the ability to, either, know more for his own purpose, or to have somewhat a security blanket to
fall back on, in case this man called Jesus was who he said he was.
When we think we stand, we are reminded to take heed.
1 Cor. 10:12 (KJV)
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
We are not to swear to any oath, especially to those that are around us, to the point that we think that we can obtain
from our familiars the sure word of prophecy. The sure word is that which comes by our way and had come into our presence
when the purpose of God is necessary.
James 5:12 (KJV)
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but
let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
I believe that in this example, we can, as the scripture says:
Col. 2:20-23 (KJV)
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject
to ordinances,
[21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
[22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
[23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour
to the satisfying of the flesh.
You and I cannot be satisfied with this type of will worship. It may appear beautiful on the outward, yet it is empty
on the inside. Simon, looked on the outward, but Jesus looking on the inward of his heart saw that he was destitute, This
woman was destitute on the outside, but in her heart she may not have felt that she was much, but she had the key to knowing
that when the opportunity was there in front of her, she was not going to let it get away. She was the very essence of the
prophecy of God breaking down the middle wall of partition.
Ephes. 2:14 (KJV)
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Jesus was allowing this unworthy vessel, according to traditions, to proclaim that he was soon to break down the wall
that separated her and those Pharisee’s with all of their traditions.
She was literally removing the wall and she, with all odds of man against her, walked into the truth and took hold of
the truth and in doing so purchased herself a degree.
Luke 1:52 (KJV)
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Their principal meal was at noon (Genesis 43:16;
Genesis 43:16
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready;
for these men shall dine with me at noon.
1 Kings 20:16
And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and
two kings that helped him.
Ruth 2:14
And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she
sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
Luke 14:12).Luke 14:12
Then said he also to him that bade him, when thou make a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither
thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence have made thee.
The word "eat" is used metaphorically in Jeremiah 15:16; Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called
by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
Ezekiel 3:1; Ezekiel 3:1
Moreover, he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou find; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.
Rev. 10:9.Rev. 10:9
And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and
it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
In John 6:53-58, "eating and drinking" means believing in Christ.
John 6:53-58
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood,
ye have no life in you. [54] Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the
last day. [55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the father: so he that eateth me, even
he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead:
he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.
Women were never present as guests at meals (q.v.).
I want to bring out here the fact that while Jesus was walking with men and women during his earthly ministry, he was
very careful to do the things that were written in the law.
He had given the Law on Mt Sinai, and he was to fulfill the law, yet at the same time he was to bring mankind, this included
all, both male and female, to the understanding that in the Law that was given, there was in the Law, Mercy and Justice for
all individuals. The Law was given to make each of us know that we were concluded to be under sin.
Romans 7:7 (KJV)
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust,
except the law had said, thou shalt not covet.
This same Law that revealed to us the wrong in our lives, was able to guide us to the one that would justify us and redeem
us from the curse of the Law.
Galatians 3:13 (KJV)
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that
hangs on a tree:
Here is the perfect example of what the curse is. This woman was not allowed to sit and eat and to participate in the
meals. She was to prepare the meals, yet she was not privileged to sit at the table where the food that her hands had prepared,
she was not allowed to sit with those that were so manmade privileged, they had risen above here and took dominion over her
and her labor.
Jesus knew that he had to be very careful not to uproot the tares' and to allow them both to grow side by side. Had he
uprooted Simon up front without this woman being able to anoint his feet, he would not have had the opportunity to leave us
an example.
The stage was set, and he was asked to come into the house of this Simon, there he was and without a doubt, he was getting
ready to show to all of those there that both male and female, even all mankind was able to enter into truth and there is
no partiality when it comes to male and female, either in race, color or creed.
God stands out in front and him, on the Day of Pentecost brought to pass the very essence of the message that was given
by this woman. She could and no doubt was there on that day to receive the same outpouring that God had purposed for all flesh.
There was no difference made on that day. Listen to what Peter said: Acts 2:1-47 (KJV)
And when the day of Pentecost fully came, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound
from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto
them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men,
out of every nation under heaven. [6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold,
are not all these which speak Galileans? [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [9] Parthians,
and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, [10] Phrygia,
and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, [11] Crete's
and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. [12] And they were all amazed, and were in
doubt, saying one to another, what means this? [13] Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine.
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that
dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: [15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing
it is but the third hour of the day. [16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; [17] And it shall come to
pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: [18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I
will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: [19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs
in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: [20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before that great and notable day of the Lord come: [21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name
of the Lord shall be saved. [22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by
miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom
God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. [25] For
David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be
moved: [26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: [27] Because
thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [28] Thou hast made known
to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. [29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto
you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being
a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would
raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [31] He sees this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not
left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33]
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath
shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord
said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of
Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,
Men and brethren, what shall we do? [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [39] For the promise is unto you,
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. [40] And with many other
words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls. [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. [44] And all that believed were
together and had all things common; [45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had
need. [46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to
the church daily such as should be saved.
As this woman broke alabaster box of precious, valuable ointment, God was getting ready to break down the middle wall
that separated such as this woman, and many more just like her.
She anointed Jesus' feet, and on the day of Pentecost god anointed here head.
There is neither male or female in heave, and this is here the proof of this as makes it a fact that of thing in heave,
they are for all, both male and female, all races and all people.
Just as the Holy Ghost was poured out on all those that were gathered in the upper room.
Do you feel that you are being made unworthy by those that you are acquainted with in this life, then break the Alabaster
Box and anoint the feet of Jesus by washing someone’s feet that you walk with each day.
Isn’t it strange that we want to do what the bible tells us, but in essence, we just pick out what is proper,
or that is accepted by the Traditions of Men, and if it is not recognized by the majority, we just say that it is not for
us today.
Maybe this is the reason that the Gifts of the Sprit is not given to many, because we just don’t want it in
this day and time.
We do have our Medical Doctor and can get our medical help at our disposable, but what a price we have to pay for something
that is Absolutely Free.
God help us to draw near to God when the opportunity arises as it did for this woman.
SHE CHOOSE THE BEST PART.
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