Sermon Central
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Breaking The Box
Contributed by Mark Lindsey on Nov 21, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: This woman brought a precious ointment in an alabaster box. This expensive perfume was costly but she was willing to give it. It will always cost you something to truly worship the Lord. If your worship costs you nothing, then your worship is worth nothing.
“BREAKING THE BOX”
LUKE 7:36-50
Many times in the Bible when a certain woman is mentioned she is often symbolic of the church. In Luke 15, we have the woman who had ten coins and lost them. It is a picture of the church as she lights the light, cleans the house, and searches diligently for what is lost.
In Rahab, we have the picture of God’s children being covered and protected. In Hosea, the wife who prostituted herself is a picture of the unfaithful church. In Proverbs 31 the virtuous woman is a picture of the church working for the cause of her bridegroom.
In Luke 7 we read about another woman mentioned in all four gospels who is also a picture of the church. Jesus says wherever the gospel is preached she would be mentioned. According to all four accounts, we learn the disciples as well as Lazarus are present.
The others in attendance sat and at with Jesus like He was one of the guys. Unfortunately, we too tend to treat Jesus like He is one of the gang. He is not “the old man upstairs” or your next door neighbor. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who deserves to be worshipped. The people around Simon’s table had grown comfortable with Jesus. When we think of Jesus as one of us it does not bother us Jesus is offended by our sin and grieves over our rebellion.
Perhaps these men were so involved in the work of the Lord they forgot the Lord of the work. The devil wants you to work in the church, In fact, he wants you to be so involved you do not take time to know Jesus. If he can convince you it is work Christ wants from you, not an intimate love relationship, then he has you right where he wants you.
In Psalm 51, David cries out for forgiveness from his sin with Bathsheba. "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it. You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:16-17)
Simon did not bother to wash Jesus’ feet which was customary for the host to do for a guest in his home. Many people come to church: “Here I am, Lord, bless me! Do something for me!” Instead of approaching this as a time where we are seated with Christ around the table to honor, reverence, and worship Him, we tend to act as if we have had a feast, filled our spiritual stomachs, unbuttoned our pants and sit back with a toothpick in our mouths relaxed and satisfied.
This is how those around Simon’s table were acting. But this woman about to upset their comfort zone. She should not have been there because she was not invited. She was crashing the party. They all knew what kind of woman she was.
This woman came with a purpose. She had something to offer Jesus, something precious. Nothing was going to stop her - not the crowds gathered outside, not those in the house with Jesus, especially not what others were thinking about her.
What you have to offer Jesus is important to the Lord. It may be great or it may be small. Whatever you carry to Him today is precious be it money, time, work, friends, or even our own lives, is an offering of worship and praise. Give it to the Lord regardless of how others may act.
The Pharisees spoke terribly of this woman just as the 2025 Pharisees may do. People may laugh, ridicule, or pull away from you, but give it anyway. There may be consequences of friendship loss or popularity loss or financial loss. Give it anyway. Real worship is to focus on the Lord and to offer Him you all without thought of what others may think.
OUR ATTITUDE
This woman let down her hair. In 1 Corinthians 11:15, the Bible teaches a woman’s hair represents her glory, the source of her pride. This woman laid her glory at the feet of Jesus.
Too many churches glory in themselves, or in their buildings, or in their programs, or in their reputation. The Bible reminds us: "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127:1) I am thankful for First Baptist Church and all we are, but this is not our church. This is the body of Christ. He will create it and use it as He desires.
Too many people glory in themselves, their achievements, their abilities, their possessions, or social status. We often talk about laying our burdens at the feet of Jesus, which is important. It is time we stop glorying in ourselves and lay our glory at the feet of Jesus. It is time our church stops glorying in herself and lay our glory at the feet of Jesus.
