I would like to read two scriptures where same incident is written but one place is very brief and other place is in quite detail but where this incident mentioned briefly there in fact two sentences are very powerful which missed in detailed record. Hallelujah
Matthew 26:7-13
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6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” 10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Here is written that where the gospel is preached this should also be preached therefore I am simply obeying the Word of God by preaching on these scriptures.
Now read the detailed Account of same scriptures..
Luke 7:36-50
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36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Hallelujah, here it was the full record of this incident…
JESUS ANOINTED TWICE BEFORE HIS BURIAL
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Jesus was anointed by two women just before his crucifixion.
1. Six days before his arrest Merry (Lazer Sister) anointed Him with Alabaster Perfumed Oil at Lazer Home
2. Two days before his arrest one Notorious Sinner Woman anointed Him with Alabaster perfumed Oil at Simon Leper home.
Usually people think that they are one incident but they are two different incidents as their timing and venue is quite different.
ALABASTER BOX
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Let me first began with Alabaster Box. What is that?
Alabaster Box is made up with “Soft Marble” which used to mined only from Egypt. This is not same kind of Marble which we use but this marble was very soft and used to make Statues, vases and Jewelry boxes at Jesus time. At present this is also available in Albania & Egypt as well.
SPIKENARD OIL
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Let me also explain what is this perfume in Alabaster Box? What is that?
The perfume called Spikenard which is a Greek word that means “Liquid Nard”. Actually this is a combination of Two Greek Words (1) NARDOS (2) PISTIKOS. Those times spikenard only imported from India at two places as follows:-
1. At Himalaya, which is now in Nepal
2. Besides Indus River, which is now in Pakistan
Those times it was all India.
Spikenard
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Spikenard is a small bush where you will find berry kind of fruit which people crush to extract its oil to make Indian incenses. It used to be very costly perfumed and still it is the most expensive perfume oil in the world. When I was working for PONDS Company in Pakistan I remember it was costing us very expensive around 30ML used to be around $38,000 even in today market. Today one American state Chicago is the major exporter of this oil.
When this oil is sold in Alabaster box it became very very expensive because after pouring the oil in Alabaster box they sealed the box with same soft marble permanently. To get this perfume the only way is to break the Alabaster Box and you can’t repair it again.
TRADITION OF ALABASTER BOX WITH SPIKENARD
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In Jesus time, only wealthiest families used to have this Alabaster Box. This usually be kept with women of the house and she gave to her daughter as it is to have status symbol and sometimes it goes to 8-9 generations in the family. If this is given as a gift in Wedding that count the most VIP gift of the wedding.
BREAKING OF THE BOX
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The box only break at the death of man of the house whom that lady Loves the most. The man could be Father, Husband, Son or Grandfather as well but the point is that this was a sign from the woman in the honor of that man that “I Love you” more than this Precious Alabaster Box & Perfume.
I want to highlight three character tonight what God showed me specifically..
1. Simon Pharisee
2. Jesus Disciples
3. Notorious Woman
1. SIMON PHARISEE - THE LEPER
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Leprosy was considered like Cancer at Jesus time even till 1873 because it was incurable disease till that time and as per old Testament the Leper will have to be separated from the assembly of God and people.
As per the his name and problem attached with his life by being Leper is still known as Simon - The Leper. Although, he was healed from his Leprosy now in one of the public meetings of Jesus Christ. The history says, he got healed in an open preaching by Jesus where people was getting delivered from their issue and at the same place he also got healed. Now he wanted to pay him back by offering Jesus at his place and Jesus loves invitation we see in the bible.
TRAVELING TO SIMON HOUSE
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Those times there was no Car and whoever got horse were called to be rich people as they have their BMW and BENZ with them always. Since it was the same region where we are living today therefore the whole Area was a deserted place and people used to walk for days and night to reach at their destination.
WASHING FEET
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Since walking in desert made the feet dirty therefore the custom was that the host when receives his guest they first suppose to greet the guest with “Greeting Kiss” and wash their dusty feet right at their arrival. This guy Simon also invited Jesus to somehow payoff what Jesus did in his life but I don’t know why he did not give proper honor and treated him well.
Present Days Christian
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Today also we invite Jesus in our Heart but we don’t honor Him for what He is deserved. In the book of Roman 1:21 & Roman 1:25 written :-
Romans 1:21 (NKJV)
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21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:25 (NKJV)
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25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Simon Leper Vs Us
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Last time I preached that we put God at the back in our life. There is no difference between us and this Simon Leper. We were also incurable disease called “Sin” and one day God deliver us from this incurable Disease and made us whole.
Leprosy Vs Sinful life
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When God cleansed us from His own blood then why we still call ourselves Sinners. This is insult to His blood who shed for us. Same like Simon Leper we also invite Him in our life and even we baptized in the water but still not give Jesus the honor what He deserve.
Kiss & Washing
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We don’t give Him greeting Kiss means we don’t show our love to Him rather showing that we actually don’t love you Jesus. We don’t washed his feet means washing feet requires you to bow down and wash somebody feet that means we don’t actually bow before Jesus regularly.
Example
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If the school fee of your child is overdue school sending notice after notice and your child bringing notice and showing to your neighbor instead of you then you will be concern about him that your child is your son and when he is in need he is talking to us. The same way when we become the members of God’s family He desires that we talk to him daily and you discuss your problems with other who just hear your problem and enjoy in his heart that you are in problem now. We go and sit in our father’s lap, we kiss Him and show our love and bow our creator & savior who died for us. Amen.
Others invited
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If we carefully examine the scriptures again we will find that Simon invited others as well because disciples were also with Jesus and we also notice that this woman was also invited. Scriptures does say that she came uninvited guest rather it seems that Simon invited this woman purposely regardless he knew a lot of this woman. This is not a question whether she was invited guest or uninvited guest the point is she was also present there as no one stopped her coming into house.
2. NOTORIOUS SINNER WOMAN
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The history says that the woman was prostitute and very notorious in that town. Everybody knows about her character. Listen Sinners have no classification, in the Kingdom of God we cannot say that He is big sinner and I am small Sinner. It does not matter whether you drink one Peg of whisky or you drink 10 bottles you are equal Sinner.
Example
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In the milk if you put one pinch of salt or whole spoon of salt the Milk will spoil.
Bible declares in
Romans 3:23
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23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..
She came from Back (not to show off)
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She noticed that Jesus feet were unwashed & she came to Jesus from Back side? Why back side because what she is about to do in a moment she was not doing for anybody to watch or even Jesus to watch. In the church or prayer meetings sometime Christian acts very funny. They look their neighbor worshipping God with eyes close, hands lifted up, they look at their right side there they find people kneeling down and worshiping God so they look behind and there also they find somebody crying and tears are rolling down to cheeks then they also started acting funny so they also close the eyes, singing song worshipping Jesus but remember one thing very important.
God cannot Worship
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How many of you agree with the statement that God can do everything and anything? Yes God cannot do one thing that is called “Worship” because worship is always given to somebody who is greater then you and there is no one greater than our God so God cannot do Worship but this God is very sensitive about Worship. Whenever anybody comes to him and offer his /her worship this God always check minutely his/her worship. He immediately checks whether the worship is from Heart or just showing off. I will give you few examples, to understand this mystery well for your Christian walk with God.
1. Abel & Cain Worship (Gen 4:3-5)
2. Triumph Entry in Jerusalem (Luke 19:40)
Worshiping Jesus
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So she came from the back side saw the Feet of Jesus with full of dust and sand. She did not search for the water for washing Jesus feet because she knew that she does not need water to wash these feet today. She started weeping and crying the unstoppable tears started rolling from her eyes were enough to wash Jesus feet completely.
Top of the Body kept at the lowest place
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Her head was the top on her body but she brought this top thing to the most lowest place of Jesus that is His Feet. Which teaching all of us one thing that that every important thing in your life need to keep in the feet of Jesus. Everything which has a name in this world will bow before the name of Jesus. Hallelujah..
Breaking Alabaster Box
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She broke the Alabaster box which is the sign from her to everyone that this man is the most important man of her life. This person who is God in Human form is the one she loves more than anyone or anything in the world and she broke the expensive alabaster box and pours the fragrance on Jesus feet declaring that how much she love Jesus.
Kissing the Feet - (Way of Worship)
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This was her way of worshipping Jesus, she was offering her worship with tears, breaking Alabaster box and started kissing her feet. You kiss only those whom you love. She attracted Heavens the way she was worshipping Jesus and that is most sensitive area where God always alert and attentive.
Every Tear rolling out from her eyes doing dual impact :-
1. It washes the dust from Jesus Feet
2. It washes away the Sin of her entire life.
Wiping with her Hair
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Do you know that the Hair of a woman are called Glory (shan) of woman. Turn with me 1-Cor 11:15
Glory of Woman (1-Cor 11:15)
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15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.
She went to level in worship where she lay everything on the feet of Jesus including her Glory means her “Ego/ Pride/ Self” on the feet of Jesus.
What is very dear to you my brother and Sisters tonight?
1. Your Family back ground?
2. Your Qualification?
3. Your Experience?
4. Your Face or appearance?
5. Your Ego
6. Your Worship
7. Your Preaching
8. Your knowledge
9. Your money
10. Your wisdom
11. Your Ego
12. Your Pride
What is the thing in you giving you Glory? Glory belong to God and He is only worthy for all glory and praises. Please come to the feet of Jesus with broken Heart, with Tears, lay everything in His feet and give your best Worship to Him. He deserve your worship…
3. Disciple & Pharisee thoughts
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Two people Offended
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While this process was going on there were two people from crowed got offended.
1. Pharisee (Think that if would have prophet He would knew how notorious sinful woman is this).
2. Disciple (Said, its a Waste why She broke the expensive Alabaster Jar)
Pharisee Thought
• Worship may Offend somebody
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It is amazing while you are giving your adoration and worship to God from your Heart with Tear, that worship can offend somebody. Why he is worshiping God like this? Why He is crying in the worship? Why does he not notice that People are watching! You may not be in the front with Choir, you may not have singing and music ability but when you worship God people easily notice you that how you are worshiping God.
• He is not Prophet
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Pharisee thought in his Heart that this man Jesus is neither Son of God nor he is even a Prophet otherwise he would know that this woman is notorious prostitute (Very big Sinner) and Jesus said to him though he has not said anything to Jesus but he was only thinking in his mind.
• Jesus Declaration
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Jesus straight declare that He is bigger than a man, bigger then a Prophet. He is God and He knows what is going on in your Heart and what is going on in the woman Heart. He said you did not worship me the way I deserve but this lady did it and I tell you that I have authority to forgive her all sins and she is declare forgiven and redeemed.
Disciple Spoke (It’s a Waste)
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One disciple said it was so expensive and it’s a total Waste of money.
These guys living with Jesus from three and half years but they never worshiped Jesus. They saw miracle after miracle, healing after Healing, raising dead after one another, controlling the waves, wind and walking on the waters but they never worshiped Jesus. Jesus said I know about your guys but I tell you that whenever this gospel is preached what she did will also be preached. What you did may not preach but what she did it will be surely preached.
You said it’s a Waster of Money but I tell you..
• Your beautiful home without worshiping Jesus is Waste of Money
• Your time without worshiping Jesus is Waste of Time.
• Your effort and energy without helping this good news to move on is actually Waste of your energy.
• Your Money if not helping Kingdom of God is actually Waste.
• Your songs without Jesus are Waste of your Talent
• Your Teaching ability is Waste if it is not helping Christian students.
The End
