I have read this story again and again through the years. What is interesting is the reaction of Jesus first line of ministries reaction to the expensive gift that was poured upon Him. "And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and [they] said, why was this waste of the ointment made?" Mark 14:4
John records the spirit of Judas by saying his objection was, "Not because he really cared for the poor, but because he kept the purse and had been thieving out of it."
Now keep in mind that this was his hand-picked men and even they had a problem with the lavish gift the woman poured out on Him.
"For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence [denarius], and have been given to the poor. [Poor Judas!] And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? Don't trouble her. She has wrought a good work on me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you will you may do them good: [if you want, you can give to the poor any time, you'll always have them around] but me you have not always. She has done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying". (Mar 14:5-8).
So at this moment, Jesus is very conscious of His impending death.
"Verily I say unto you, Where ever, this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her". (Mar 14:9).
It was at this point that Judas went unto the Chief Priest, to betray Him. What did the Alabaster Box represent? It represented unselfishness, which was a character flaw in Judas life. Others evidently had some real reservations about the expensive Alabaster being poured out on the Lord but they did not betray him to the religious leaders, for 30 pieces of silver. (Which is the Price of Redemption) In someway they came to the conclusion that they would follow Him to the end which they did and as a result of their choice that they were empowered to give their all for him because of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Following these events they sung a hymn and departed for the Mt. of Olives.
They did not know why the woman did what she did and criticized her lavish sacrifice. That is very similar to what happened between Cain and Abel. Their judgment of the woman who broke open her Alabaster Box, was not just a judgment of her gift it was a judgment of her as she poured her love out on Jesus. I have asked myself, what would my Alabaster Box look like? Have you asked yourself a similar question? I leave you with this as we worship him today. Her worship was her sacrifice.
Have a great Lord's Day as you worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
