01/18/2024
I read a thought provoking devotional this morning regarding spiritual anointing, and the indescribable attributes of that practice. I agreed with the author of this message, E.M. Bounds, when he wrote that it carries with it certain attributes that can't be put into words. We can't describe an anointing fully but we can speak to what it represents.
Bounds described anointing as a thing we cannot explain fully to others, and that we can’t manufacture, or reproduce by ourselves. He goes on to tell us that it is not only a physical thing we do with oil, but that reveals itself as a certain something in a sermon that separates the simple words from a spiritual event, a moment with God from our normal speech, and that ethereal something which gives us the power to save souls. Listen as he addresses the heavenly value of an anointing:
"Spiritual anointing is in itself priceless beyond measure if you wish to edify believers and bring sinners to God." – E.M. Bounds
I think back on the anointing of Aaron and how that priesthood was established. I also think of Jesus saying in Luke 4:18 that the Holy Spirit had anointed Him...
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
Luke 4:18 KJV
And again I recall in Matthew 26:7, 12 what was written as He was being anointed for burial.
“There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.”
Matthew 26:7, 12 KJV
These are powerful moments, and the anointing with oil and spirit which occurred within them, are both physical and spiritual manifestations of holiness and sanctification. Have you experienced such a moment as you mourned and prayed in a similar moment? Have you anointed, or been anointed during healing?
We are also told in James 5:14-15 to anoint in the name of Jesus and pray for those who need healing, and that in such a moment our anointing becomes a merciful action of salvation, healing, lifting up, and forgiveness; listen…
“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
James 5:14-15 KJV
I was once an elder member of my church, and called to serve on a three man Intercessory prayer team. What I haven't spoken to you about was the first night I prayed with my fellow elders. On that night they anointed me with oil and prayed for me... Then we anointed one another and prayed for each other. In this solemn act I was sanctified and then the three of us were bound together. It was a quiet unceremonious time of prayer and communion between us and God, yet in this private and holy moment an indescribable bond was formed between man and man.... And, man and God.
So as we anoint one another today we are physically imitating here in this world what God is spiritually doing in heaven. The oil is our physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit and also spiritually representative of our sanctification by God. It is a powerful symbol of spiritual calling, forgiveness, healing, and indeed God's mercy and grace.
Anointing is also a cause for celebration as God pours Himself out on us gladly. I love the scripture in Hebrews where God speaks to Jesus...
“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
Hebrews 1:9 KJV
Anointing is at once both mysteriously spiritual, and real, it is powerful and subtle, it is fragrant and pungent, it frees us and binds us, and in all of these seemingly diverse characteristics (and more) it is God's will being poured out over us. It is the certificate of the emissary, and the seal of the epistle. It is God's stamp on our lives, His miraculous healing power, the blessing He promises those who mourn, and too many other manifestations of mercy, grace, and ordination to count. So let's contemplate the act of anointing today and the times in our lives when we have personally been anointed, or anointed another. Then let's thank God for what He desires and has provided for us in heaven, and for the anointing oil He has given us as a sign of blessing and power on earth.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:3 KJV
Prayer:
Father thank you for the oil that we pour out on those you have called to serve you and do your will. We thank you for this, the oil of your blessing upon the sick and dying, as they prepare to feel your merciful blessing and the fullness of your eternal presence. We thank you also for the sweet perfume you provide us as your fragrance of authority, and authenticity. This is the seal of the disciple, and the ring worn by the emissary, as they go forth with your Holy Word, and the gospel of Jesus, to the ends of the earth. Bless us in this way with your fragrant and soothing oil that only you can compound and provide us. Hear our prayers as we ask you to bless your anointing offering of the Spirit for those in need, and who represent you. Help us as we anoint, and are anointed, to do so righteously and join us as we are wrapped in solemn and expectant prayer. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you who pours out the blood of your Son, and the oil of your Spirit on us in merciful grace. Hear our prayers as the oil of your anointment runs from where it has been spoken and poured over our heads and flows across our beards and clothing. Bless those who we anoint and pray over as we place the oil of anointing on their foreheads in the name of Jesus, and give us the words of blessing to speak as your emissary to accompany it. We are humbled and yet made powerful in our anointing, and we praise you as we receive it. Join us in power and grace in these our moments with you, and we will worship you, and give you all the glory for what comes of it… your never ending blessing.
“Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him.”
Leviticus 8:10-12 ESV
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
Psalm 133 ESV
Rich Forbes