July 6, 2021

Tuesday

Favor and Power

Mark 1: 9-13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”

1 Samuel 16:13a

Since 1789, presidents of the United States have been inaugurated. In monarchies like Great Britain, the monarch is crowned and also anointed with oil. The tradition of anointing with oil has its roots in ancient cultures, especially that of Israel.

Anointing with oil served several purposes: medicinal, cosmetic, and bestowing favor. A woman anointed Jesus’ feet at a dinner as a sign of humility and respect (Luke 7:46). But when God anointed someone, through His prophets, it was a sign of divine favor and power. The prophet Samuel confirmed God’s choice of David as king of Israel by anointing David with oil—“and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David.” Instead of being anointed with oil at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself (Mark 1:9-13). Thus the Holy Spirit replaced oil as the sign of divine favor and power in the believer’s life.

Paul commands us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) as a way to live out the Spirit’s anointing day by day. 

A point to ponder…

Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of “other things.” Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. 
Jim Elliot

Read the Bible through in a year

Psalms 115-118

I love you!!!

© 2000-2021 B. Michael Goerlich