HEBREWS 1:9
“‘YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF JOY ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.’”
We don’t do a lot of anointing with oil in the Baptist church. If I asked someone if they had ever been anointed with oil in my church, I would probably be greeted with a blank stare, lol. I have anointed people at some special meetings. I once anointed my son’s bedroom window and door because he was being awakened at night with nightmares. After anointing his room, the nightmares stopped. Now, don’t read too much in that. I don’t possess any special powers. We just dedicated that room to Jesus and any evil spirits that were bothering him were sent fleeing.
In the Scriptures, we see the anointing with oil happen when a new king was appointed or a new high priest. Samuel anointed Saul and David. It was a sign of selection for a certain purpose by God. The passage quoted from today is from Psalm 45:7. As I mentioned earlier in our study, this Psalm is considered a prophetic Psalm about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)
What can we see in this verse today? For one, I see a Promise to claim. Jesus, our Savior and Lord, has received the anointing from the Father. I really like the reference to anointing which is found in Isaiah 61:3. “To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Some have called Isaiah 61:1-3 “Jesus’ job description.” He replaced our mourning with the oil of gladness or joy by redeeming us to His Father.
I also see Something new about God. It’s not really new, but as we apply it here, it could be seen that way. Jesus’ anointing placed Him above His companions. Barnes says, “that is, above all who sustain the kingly office. He would be more exalted than all other kings.” Well, of course, He would be, right? There has never been nor will there ever be a king or a ruler (President, Prime Minister, etc) who could come close to ruling as Jesus rules. No other person can claim that authority. He is the One Supreme Ruler for all time.
Take a minute and thank the Lord for His anointing over you. You may not have had perfumed oil poured over your head, but His anointing is poured out on us when we receive Him as our Lord and Savior. His anointing is for eternity. You don’t need a physical oil placed on you to be holy. However, if you choose to be anointed with oil, see it as an outward expression of something has happened internally in your spirit. It can be a special moment of remembrance. You are anointed!
O Father, thank You for anointing me as Your servant. Help me as I seek to serve You in whatever way You choose.
