In Jesus’ Name
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One . . .” I John2:20
Hollywood continually produces movies about heroes with special powers. Spiderman, Superman, the X-Men. And a good part of their popularity resides with the audience identifying with the need for a savior. The “good guy” rushing in to save those in distress. But what if we accepted a power beyond any superhero, residing in us? A power that does not need the ability to fly or see through brick walls or read other’s thoughts. A power so supernatural the effects are eternal. Spiderman could battle the Green Goblin to save Mary Jane’s physical life. We are given ability to battle unseen spirits, demonic forces, evil on the most retched level to rescue people for eternal life. By the very name “Jesus” we have power when we speak. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus he asks them who they came for. Then his words “I am He” caused them to “draw back and fall to the ground.” Paul tells us “we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…” (II Cor 10:3-5.) God sets us apart, anoints us, to continue Jesus’ work of saving the lost.
Biblically speaking “anointing” meant literally to pour on or rub into. To be anointed by God was to be chosen and empowered for His service. In Joel 2:28 God says he will “pour out” his Spirit on all people. The imagery is that of pitcher tipped such that the liquid rushes out, not a trickle and not by divisions. It indicates a complete filling in one powerful pouring out. Imagine the purity if the vessel being poured into had nothing in it. And the dilution that occurs if it does.
Anointing with oil was a huge part of Old Testament ceremonies. Aaron and the other High Priests would have oil poured over them (Lev 8:12) to indicate a setting apart for service or reverence to God. Oil was used for three things:
As a fuel for light. As we are called to be the light in a dark and lost world the oil the Holy Spirit provides is the necessary empowerment to be that light. Psalm 104:15 tells us God provides oil “to make his face shine.” Spiritually we are to let our light shine (the light fueled by the Holy Spirit) before men (Mt 5:16.)
As an ointment for healing. No doubt the Holy Spirit works through us to provide spiritual healing. Jesus told the Pharisees it was not the healthy who needed a doctor but the sick. He never physically healed without pointing out the need for spiritual healing, a reconciliation to God. Through the Holy Spirit we are given the ability to bring others into the life-giving relationship with God.
As soap for cleansing. Even when we are healthy this world and its dirt rubs off. And so the Holy Spirit is perpetually working to cleanse those He inhabits. After describing the wickedness of people Paul calls out those who “were washed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (I Cor 6:11.)
Though we often understand the calling by God through the Holy Spirit, we question the empowerment. Both “Messiah” in the Hebrew and “Christ” in the Greek meant “Anointed One.” All power and authority was given to Jesus on earth to accomplish God’s plan for salvation. We do not question Jesus’ power, we should not question our own. Jesus tells us we will “have power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8.) In fact the apostles were told to not even leave town until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit or given His power to accomplish their calling. At that time they were “filled” with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4.)
The oil poured out into our lives sets us up and apart for God’s service giving us light, healing and cleansing ability and then empowers us to complete the work given. No super hero weapon in the most inventive Hollywood script can compete with the weapons we have when we open the Word of God, get on our knees in prayer or speak the name of Jesus.
// Stephanie Dooley