During worship on Sunday, I received a revelation which I believe is for many in the wider Body, who have been hidden and waiting. I saw the scene where the woman came and poured her alabaster jar of spikenard over Jesus.

I was given understanding that there are those who are scorned by many who have been watching their progress and movements. Yet they have pressed determinedly on knowing their calling and purpose. The alabaster jar represents both these people themselves and the gift which they carry. Alabaster is white, representing purity, and the light shines through it, representing transparency. These are the ones who have been purified by many fiery trials; those who have desired to be vessels of honor.

Now in this season that is breaking forth, they are coming into plain view bearing the gift they want to lavish upon Jesus alone. Their eyes are fixed upon His face and nothing anyone says can deter them. They know that what they are assigned to do will benefit the whole Body of Christ and yet they also know they will not receive acclaim but rather criticism and ridicule. This alabaster vial contains very expensive ointment. It has been a very costly journey to this place where these precious ones are ready to pout out that which is within them. The cost of this ointment was equivalent to a whole years salary. So within this pure white vessel is an ointment representing much time and labor - it represents the very life essence of this company of people, the living letter which has been etched upon their hearts; the painful and most costly spiritual lesson they have ever learned is encapsulated within this ointment. Their lifeblood, sweat and many many tears have bought them this precious revelation within.

And now these precious ones are willing to pour it all out for the benefit of the Body of Christ. This is the moment they have been preparing for and longing for and they understand that the pouring out can only come once the vessel has been broken. The word used in the Greek here means 'utterly shattered'. It is the breakings we have been through which has produced the costly ointment, finely ground like the incense which stands for a testimony at the altar of incense in the tabernacle – twice ground, twice refined.

There has been the breaking in private, the heart agony, the Gethsemane which has produced the ointment within and these private breakings have been rehearsals for the breaking that awaits them now. The time has arrived to come out of the place of preparation and into public view. This itself will produce the breaking of the vessel and the release of the incredible fragrance of spikenard.

'Spikenard' comes from the word meaning 'trustworthy'. These are the ones the Spirit has tested in the secret place and found trustworthy to anoint the Body of Christ in this season. Their ministry is directed at the Head, Jesus, and yet the whole Body receives the benefit. They see nothing except the face of their Beloved Christ. Some consider this outpouring of a life to be an incredible waste – of talent and gifting which could be used more profitably elsewhere – yet it is an act esteemed greatly by Jesus and sets in motion the next season the Body of Christ is about to enter. It is a season of increased persecution, a season where there is a plotting to do away with this Christ who is causing such a problem in public places. But it is also a season that brings a release of resurrection power and glory never before known.

This act of love and adoration is but another chapter in the ongoing deep relationship between this company and their beloved Lord. They have poured themselves out at His feet in secret many times and they do not care that others see it happening openly. This is a prophetic moment, a prophetic act that synchronizes the clocks of heaven and galvanizes the enemies of the cross into action. It is a very necessary step towards the outpouring of the glory and each one in this worldwide company has been prepared for such a time as this. They know their assignment; they know the personal cost which they will bear and yet they are more than willing to pay the price for the honor and glory of His Name. Even now they have made their way through the crowds jostling for His attention, past the pharisees who preen and applaud themselves because Jesus is seated in their house, and are now face to face with their heavenly appointment.

Some outpourings will be in the form of books or songs; life-stories told. Others will be in less tangible forms yet all will bear the hallmark of a distinctive and memorable fragrance. The moment has arrived and the invisible Conductor, the Holy Spirit, is even now raising His baton and indicating the first notes of this new melody must be struck. Let the outpouring begin. It is time.

Selah

Christine Beadsworth