Alabaster Jar: Pouring Out Our Hearts in Worship
- jessiedecorsey
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Alabaster Jar 24" x 20" Oil on Canvas
7w
In the pages of Scripture, the alabaster jar appears as a quiet yet powerful symbol of devotion, surrender, and worship. When I first began my painting At His Feet, I considered including an alabaster jar as part of the scene. But as I worked, I realized this jar deserved its own space—a standalone emblem of offering, intimacy, and drawing near to God.
The alabaster jar invites us to pour out everything we have, whatever it may be, as an offering to the Lord. In Hebrew, the word for offering is Korban, meaning “that which is brought near.” How beautiful is this? Every act of giving, no matter how small, draws us closer to God. Our offerings are not just transactions—they are opportunities to step into His presence and align our hearts with His.
The Biblical Significance of the Alabaster Jar
The story of the alabaster jar appears in Matthew 26:6–13 and Mark 14:3–9, where a woman breaks open a jar of precious ointment to anoint Jesus. Her act was extravagant, intimate, and deeply personal. She poured out something of great value, and in doing so, expressed a love and devotion that went far beyond the material gift.
Similarly, in my painting, the jar symbolizes the spiritual act of pouring out our hearts before God. Whether it’s our prayers, our time, our talents, or even our weaknesses, every offering is precious when it comes from a heart of sincerity. Like the oil in the jar, our devotion rises before the Lord as a pleasing fragrance—a reminder that God treasures the love behind the gift more than the gift itself.
Drawing Near to God Through Our Offerings
Giving is often framed in terms of obligation or ritual, but the biblical concept of Korban is far richer. It reminds us that our offerings draw us near to God, inviting a personal encounter with Him. Romans 12:1 tells us, *“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
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