Kings and Priests – The Anointing

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1 John 2:20 (NKJV)

These past few days, we’ve been talking about the rituals that are part of the coronation of British monarchs. Today, we will talk about the third ritual - The Anointing, seen as the heart of the ceremony. Before The Anointing can take place, the monarch is stripped of the royal regalia. All symbols of status are removed, leaving only a plain white linen tunic. The monarch is seated on the Coronation Chair, and a screen is placed around it. The sacred act of anointing is shielded from the audience. The anointing oil is poured from an eagle-shaped vessel onto the Coronation Spoon and dabbed on the monarch’s hands, breasts and head.

The anointing of the monarch consecrates, authorises and releases the monarch to carry out their tasks. In the Old Testament, kings and priests were anointed by prophets, authorising them to carry out their kingly or priestly duties. When Aaron, the first Levitical priest, was ordained, he was not only anointed but also consecrated to fulfil his priestly tasks (Exodus 28:41). As kings and priests in God’s kingdom, we are anointed as royal priests to carry out His work here on earth that He has established before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 2:10).

Abounding in Grace

As anointed royal priests, we consecrate ourselves; we set ourselves apart from the things of the world that could hinder the good work that God has called us to do. As we set ourselves apart, He administers His grace to us and equips and empowers us with everything we need to walk out what He has called us to do. God’s boundless grace and not our own strength or abilities will enable us. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) says,

 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Jesus, our High Priest, will empower us through His Holy Spirit to do His work. Holy Spirit will reveal to us the giftings in which we are ordained to operate – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12) and other giftings 1 Corinthians 12:28.  He will equip us so that we can build up and encourage others.  Jesus, our High Priest, who sacrificed His life for us, has anointed us and released us to do His good work. He has gone before us so that we may reign as kings with Him and minister as priests. So that we can be poured out for Him to the praise and glory of His name.

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 (NKJV)

Reflection:

Are you aware that Jesus, your High Priest, has anointed you and empowered you through His Holy Spirit to do the good works He has ordained for you? Ask Him to reveal this to you.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, reveal the spiritual gifts that You have for me so that I can carry out the works You have established for me before the foundations of the world. Help me to follow Your kingly and High Priestly example as I carry out Your good work. In Jesus’ name, amen.