Protected from Insects

~~~ 1 John 2: 22-28 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ John 1: 19-28 ~~~

 

As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.

We have been anointed by God.

Do we really appreciate what that means?

In Biblical times people were anointed with oil

to signify God's call or blessing.

Anointed meant you were chosen by God.

 

The use of oil today is symbolic of what God is doing.

The shepherds used oil on the heads of their sheep for a real purpose.

Insects would get into the wool of the sheep.

If these insects reached the head they would

burrow into the ears often causing the death of the animal.

The oil would make the wool too slippery and the insects would fall off.

 

Anointing with oil is symbolic of blessing,

protection, and empowerment.

It is mentioned at least twenty times in the Bible.

Mary anoints the feet of Jesus before the crucifixion not his head.

Blessing his feet as they would make the long journey to the cross.

 

Jesus left us the Holy Spirit.

He called us his chosen thus anointing us for himself.

 

'...But you have the anointing that comes from the holy one,

and you all have knowledge...'

(1 John 2:20)

 

Our anointing gives us the strength we need

in times of trials and tribulations.

The Lord truly has done wondrous things for us.

 

 

The good shepherd has anointed his sheep

protecting them from death by even a tiny insect.

 

We are the ones he has chosen to anoint with his holy oil.

Assuring us of his protecting presence

all the days of our life.

Let us be glad and rejoice!