Luke 7:37-38 The woman with the alabaster box
What is on your personal bucket list today? A bucket list, as you know, is a list of all the main things we want to do before we die i.e. before we kick the bucket!
Here are some of the most popular types of items on most peoples’ bucket list
To go somewhere they have never been
To do something they have never done
To do something exciting/dangerous/extravagant perhaps just one time in your life.
When we consider the meaning and purpose of our life, it is important to put our lives in the context of eternity. The Preacher (aka King Solomon) says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God ‘has set eternity in our hearts’, which I take to mean that, God has given we humans an awareness/consciousness that there is something beyond our natural lives. An awareness that there is someone and something that is beyond our understanding of time.
Eternity represents a fork in the road, when we are trying to fathom out, just exactly what is the meaning or purpose of our life. Are you living for time, or for eternity?
If we have taken the Jesus fork on the road, then perhaps today might be a fitting time to revise our bucket lists but this time in the light of eternity.
This raises the question what can we take from this life into the next?
Here is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
So, what does this mean?
So, what treasure we can store up in heaven?
Here is what the Apostle Paul said in the key passage about the judgement of believers works.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise Master Builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Paul likened the Christian life to constructing a building and tells us we must build carefully.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
For every one of us
12 Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Our works not our salvation. In your life are you building a palace or a mud hut? [1]
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. G,S and PS are fireproof but not W,H and S. We will all bring our big bag of works to the bema (platform) judgement.
14 If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
The various crowns to cast at Jesus’ feet.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Clearly this is talking about loss of reward not loss of salvation.
The fire will differentiate between work we have done in the flesh (our own ideas, our own power) and work we have done by the Spirit (God’s ideas and God’s power).
So, in closing here are some things to consider for our spiritual bucket lists in the light of eternity. Here are some ideas of the type of thing that might bring you gold, silver, and precious stones in heaven.
At this stage I believe this could be an opportunity in which God wants to communicate with each one of us personally today, so be open to what the Lord might be saying to you personally.
Some suggestions;
1] Go somewhere for God you have never been, maybe a short-term mission Personal testimonies-Brazil, and Tanzania-made many friends who still are today!
2] Do something for God you have never done before, do something creative write something, sing something, paint something, give something, pray something, bless someone Use all your God-given creative talents to full effect.
3] Do something exciting/dangerous/extravagant for God, perhaps just this one time in your life, share the Gospel message, tell a friend or neighbour about your faith, be a good Samaritan to someone in need.
Or what about the wonderful woman who poured the alabaster box of costly perfume on Jesus’ feet? She did not store up her treasure on earth.
Here is her story, in Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Those present had doubts and concerns about the woman, but Jesus praised her, whoever has much forgiven , loves much. What about you?
Prayer Father God, we ask you in Jesus’ name, to teach us how to live and to love in the light of eternity. Show us all the tasks and opportunities of that are from you which will produce treasure in heaven. Show us what is on your list for me specifically today and help me to live out and complete your vision for my life. Amen
[1] Roger Price CCF Tapes BBS 023
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