Oil of the Holy Spirit

During Bible times kings and priests were anointed with oil as part of their appointment to their offices.  We, too, are "anointed" as a part of our induction into the family of God.  Oil is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit who seals us when God makes us His children. Ephesians 1:13-14 gives us these reassuring words,  "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory."

     
Just as the oil had several purposes in the lives of sheep, God's Holy Spirit has several purposes in the life of a Christian.  During the mating season the rams swagger around trying to catch the eyes of certain ewes.  If two rams desire the attention of the same ewe, a vicious battle may ensue.  The rams will charge each other with antlers lowered, and they may literally "lock horns."  In so doing, rams can become seriously wounded or even killed.  When the mating season begins, many shepherds smear a liberal amount of grease on the antlers of the rams so that when they fight their horns will slide off each other rather than inflicting harm.

      
We tend to become jealous or competitive, to fight with other people, to "lock horns" when we want our own way.  If we have an application of the Holy Spirit, however, His graciousness will make us kinder and more gentle to the people in our lives.

      
Another purpose of the oil was to aid in healing wounds.  The precious Holy Spirit comes alongside to comfort and heal us when we have been wounded by the unkindness of others or the trauma of tragic events.

Thank You, Father, for helping us live peacefully with each other and for Your healing of the wounds in our lives.  Amen.