The Day It Was Broken

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: Fingerpost | Jun 1975

It was a custom in Eastern lands of ancient days to "save" precious oil, and "bank" it in alabaster vases or boxes. The alabaster stone, semi-transparent in appearance, could be highly polished and skilfully made into vessels of varying forms. Apothecaries used these vessels for storing medicines and perfumes; but some people would buy from the apothecary a measure of precious oil to put into an "enclosed" container, and add to it as they prospered. Only when the vase was full would it be sealed by the apothecary, and the person would keep this most valuable investment for the occasion for which it was intended.

This appeared to be the case with the loving, worshipping, nameless woman in the Bethany home of Simon the leper (Mark 14). She had brought with her an alabaster cruse of very costly (v.3), fragrant nard, which had likely accumulated over a long period of time. After its sealing she had kept it against that memorable day when she would anoint her Lord in anticipation of His death and burial (v.8). What foresight and faith she had. That day had now arrived, and in His presence she broke the seal, and poured the precious oil over His head (v.3). The house would be filled with the odour of the perfume; none would escape its effect, and they would carry it with them, willingly or unwillingly, wherever they went. We overlook, sometimes, the fact that this dear woman was herself a vessel filled with fragrant adoration and worship for her Lord and Messiah King. That day, too, she was broken, and there flowed out to Him her deep love, gratitude, and devotion.

But our record would be incomplete without reference to the great outpouring of a loving, kind, and considerate God. The remarkable incident in Simon's home was a pale reflection of what God Himself did from Genesis to Malachi. It was just as though He took His own cruse, and kept adding to it all the fragrant, prophetic utterances concerning His Son, until the time came when it had to be broken. The first drop into the divine vessel was that word of hope and victory, after sin had entered into the world, that the Seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head (Gen. 3:15). Later was added, "God will provide Himself the Lamb for the burnt offering" (Gen. 22:8). Afterwards He went on to gather in succession the fragrant tributes by His prophets to the Coming One. From Moses:

"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet ... unto Him shall ye hearken" (Deut. 18:15). From David: "The LORD is my shepherd" (Ps: 23:1). The sons of Korah add their drops: "thou art fairer than the children of men; Grace is poured into Thy lips" (Psa. 45:2). Then into the cruse is poured Isaiah's tribute:"... Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; ... and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (9:6). Micah is next: "Be thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah ... out of thee shall One come forth ... that is to be Ruler in Israel" (5:2) and then the final, fragrant drop: "... until you that bear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings;" (Mal. 4:2).

Then comes the time for the divine hand to seal the flask, and to keep it against the great day of its breaking and pouring out. Some 400 years must pass before the blessed announcement of the miraculous birth of Bethlehem; the seal had been broken, and there poured forth the fragrant, precious proclamation: "and thou shalt call His name JESUS" (Matt. 1:21). "Thy name is as ointment, poured forth", said the beloved one (Song of Songs 1:3), and our redeemed hearts respond, "Amen, Amen".

SOMETHING FOR THEE

And hast Thou, Lord, some little task for me?

Such as I am - that I may do for Thee?

Unworthy, sin-born, sin-bred, yet Thou hast

Named me among Thy workers; and my past

That ne'er recorded aught for Thee of good,

Obliterated by Thy precious blood.

The wonder is, that I, of sinful race,

Have been (oh! token of Thy sov'reign grace)

Entrusted with so hon'rable a place!

Lord, teach me, fit me, aid me, so I may

Out from this life save something for "that day",