This poem combines the stories of the women who broke their alabaster boxes and shows how these events relate to the cross. Imagine the courage it took for these women to break cultural customs and disregard their reputations in order to shower their affection on Jesus.

Matthew 26 and Mark 14 recount the events which took place in Bethany, where a woman broke her alabaster box to prophetically prepare Jesus for burial. Luke 7 describes the events which took place in the home of Simon the Pharisee, where a woman who lived a sinful life broke her alabaster box out of gratitude for the Lord’s mercy toward her.

Jesus was broken and poured out just like the alabaster box. He was crushed for our peace and healing. Now we can release His fragrance to a world in need.

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Mark 14:3-9