Pat Hagius - The Fragrant Alabaster Box

The Fragrant Alabaster Box

Pat Hagius

Copyright 2019 by Pat Hagius

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to my granddaughters Lilah and Chloe .

About the Author

P at Hagius is a wife and mother with four beautiful grandchildren. Over the years, she has served in both children and women ministries. Turning a new chapter in her life, she now spends much of her time writing childrens books and enjoying her grandchildren.

Sought by Love , Saved by Grace

W henever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what this woman has done will be remembered and discussed.

Story inspired by John 8:1-11, Luke 7:3650, John 11:1-2, and John 12:1-9.

Read these and more stories from Gods word and be blessed coming to know his beautiful affections for you.

O ur story begins in a quaint small town east of Jerusalem called Bethany. It was home to a young woman named Mary and her family. Mary just loved the city with all its wonderful smells and movements. While her sister Martha and brother Lazarus loved the quietness of home, Mary loved going into the city when the merchants would come in from afar to trade and sell their goods. The city would be bustling with crowds rushing through the streets to get to the harbor. All this made it easy for Mary to slip through the crowds unnoticed.

Waiting patiently for spring, Mary could feel its warmth in the air knowing it would soon be time to make her journey. Before long the time had come and excitement filled her heart. Waking up early, Mary started to pack her travel bag while Martha fixed them breakfast and a quick lunch for Mary. Going out into the courtyard, the two sat talking and enjoying breakfast, but with all her excitement, Mary couldnt stop thinking about all her plans for the day. Hugging Martha, she slipped on her travel bag and started out just as the sun was coming up.

When she arrived, Jerusalem was clamoring with loud bellows of loaded-down donkeys and people rushing about, making it hard to think. After months of planning to meet her gentleman friend, she still felt anxious as she moved through the crowded street. Her heart was racing as she passed the temple trying not to be noticed. Moving slowly, she overheard people talking about a man coming to speak in the city square.

His name is Jesus, they shouted as they pushed and shoved to get a look at him. Mary could only think of one thing as she began to walk faster to get to the house of her friend unnoticed.

It was hot and dusty as the people filled the square. Amazed by this man, Jesus, the crowds continued to grow as he sat on a bench and began to teach them. Suddenly, a commotion stirred the crowd startling everyone. Ten to twelve men, Pharisees pushed their way through the crowd holding on to a young woman. It was Mary! The crowd parted as these men rushed to get to Jesus. Marys day went from bliss to horror in what seemed to be seconds. As they approached, she could see him, a ruddy, slender man sitting in front of the crowd. They rushed her toward him causing her to miss her step as the crowd stared. Mary was shaking so badly she couldnt even stand. Jesus watched in silence as they shoved her to the ground before him.

Barely able to breathe, Mary could hear them shouting, This woman was caught sinning, and according the Law of Moses, she must be stoned.

Still shaking, Mary could barely move, sobbing helplessly at his feet. Picking up stones, they shook their fist at him as he just sat, looking at the ground. Quietly, he began to write with his finger on the hot, dusty, stone-paved street, not saying a word. Without even looking up at them, it was as though he was thinking, Dont you know who I am? I wrote the law and gave it to Moses.

Angrily, they shouted all the more, raising their stones to stone her.

Then staring them down, he stood up saying, You who has no sin, you cast the first stone at her.

The silence was deafening, then one stone after the other began to fall to the ground as their own sin flashed before their eyes. Then starting with the oldest, they began to walk away.

The crowd whispered as Jesus turned to Mary who was still holding tightly to his feet, sobbing.

Reaching down, Jesus helped her to her feet asking, Where are your accusers?

I dont see any, Lord, she said.

Looking into her eyes, he said, Well then, neither do I accuse you, go and sin no more.

Filled with emotion, Mary could hardly think as she made her way back to the inn. Sitting on the bed sobbing, she decided to cut her trip short and return home. As she walked, she couldnt wait to be back home safe with her family. The sun was still high in the sky as she walked past the beautiful-olive groves lining the valley. They were breathtaking, lush, and green as the sun shone brightly through the mountain peaks.

A peace welled up in her heart as she watched the harvesters tirelessly working to get the olives to the olive press. She had passed this way many times, but it was as though she was seeing its beauty for the first time. Evening was approaching as the sun lingered on the horizon. Seeing Martha in the distance, she began to walk faster as Martha ran out to meet her. Surprised to see her coming home so soon, Martha knew something had happened. Marys emotions spilled over as she hugged her sister. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she told Martha how close she had come to being stoned.

Stopping in the middle of her words, she remembered Jesus and began telling Martha how he had saved her from sure death. As they walked, Mary thought back to her childhood.

Having heard the prophets many times, she wondered, Could this man be the the one they spoke of?

Unable to control their emotions, Martha turned to Mary, saying, Well then, well have to invite him to supper next time hes in Bethany.

All Martha knew was that she was so glad to have her sister home again. They had Jesus as a regular guest many times as he passed through their little town. It seemed to be Jesus favorite place to relax and be with friends.

Martha loved to serve him and his disciples, but Mary just loved to sit at his feet listening to his every word. She was taken with the love that flowed from him. It was unlike the love she had sought from people; this love satisfied. It was a love that knew her fully, yet it excepted her completely, setting her free. It was so pure and unconditional, causing her to come closer, wanting to know more.