Sanctification – The Oil of Anointing

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:21–22

God’s sanctification often comes through our struggles and difficulties. There may be times in our lives when we feel as if we are being wrung out. As if God is using these struggles to “press” out what is needed for Him to use us in a greater way. This reminds me of the process of producing olive oil. Pressing olives is an ancient practice mentioned in the Bible. During Biblical times, the pressing process took place in three stages. The first pressing produced pure oil, which was used in the temple to anoint priests and kings and to light the temple lamps. The second pressing produced oil used for medicinal purposes. The oil produced during the third pressing was used for cleansing purposes.

God’s sanctification often comes through the “pressing”, and He will use it to extract and release His oil in us. This can sometimes be very painful and will, for some of us, come at a great cost. Jesus knew this cost when He experienced the “pressing” at Gethsemane (The Olive Press). Jesus, the Anointed One, who performed miracles, is the same One who suffered and died for us. Who died and was raised again so that the oppressed can be liberated, the captives can be set free, and the broken-hearted be healed (Luke 4:18). Just as Jesus gained something extraordinary for us when He sacrificed His life for us, we will also gain something far greater than what we lost in the “pressing.” We will gain His powerful anointing to do the work that He has ordained for us before the foundations of the earth. This anointing oil, released through the pressing, will be used in miraculous ways when we allow Holy Spirit to lead us. The empowerment of Holy Spirit will facilitate the flow of the anointing through us so that His higher plans and purposes can be fulfilled.

The Fruit of The Anointing

Just as the pressing of olives produced pure oil for the temple lamps, our process of sanctification will produce the anointing oil that will light our temples - our souls, so that we can be a light to the dark world around us (Matthew 5:14-16). The anointing oil we produce will not only fill our cup and bring healing and restoration for our brokenness, but will also run over so that we can be a healing balm to others (Psalm 23:5). The anointing oil will empower us through Holy Spirit to speak words of life in due season into the hearts of those who need to hear them (1 Corinthians 12:8) It will empower us to operate in the gifts of the Spirit that have been given to us (1 Corinthians 12:9-11). The oil of anointing will ignite in us the fire that is needed so that we, ordinary human beings, can do the extraordinary for the One, Jesus Christ, who did the extraordinary for us.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.1 John 2:20 

Reflection 

Are you experiencing the crushing in the olive press? Will you trust God to produce His oil of anointing in you so that you can do the extraordinary for Him?

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for doing the extraordinary for me when You died on the cross and rose again. As I submit to Your olive press, help me to endure the pressure. Help me to trust Your sanctifying process so that Your anointing oil can be produced in me. Lead me, Lord, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, so that I will use the gifts of the Spirit that You have given me and do the extraordinary for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.