Our Healing: Through Anointing

Anointing- A history

Anointing is not specific to the Christian faith- many other faith traditions practice some form of anointing.

The first anointing in Scripture happens in when Jacob anoints a pillar

Since the founding of the Church of the Brethren we have practiced 4 ordinances: Communion, Feetwashing, Baptism, and Anointing

What’s with the Oil?

In the Bible it would have been olive oil

Oil has a deep and important meaning in the Bible. It meant life, and prosperity.

It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit

It is what the New Testament calls us to use ()

It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit

Why are people anointed?

For Healing

For Consecration

Spiritual Protection

How is Anointing Related to Healing?

Obedience to the Scriptures

A time for self evaluation

As a tangible moment for people to pray and offer affirmation/support

As a reminder of God’s presence with you

There is a story about a vaccum salesman down in Tennesee. He was out in rural Tennesee. He had a his vacum cleaner and all of this tools and everything, and he went out there and he told a lady, "I’ve got the most exciting vacum cleaner you have ever seen. It will clean your house from top to bottom...you only have to pay so much down." And the lady said, "It sounds real good." He said, "You see that big pile of dirt right there on the floor with all those fur balls and bugs and things." He said, "My vacum cleaner will just pick up all those things up just like that and if they don’t, I’ll eat it." She said, "well you might as well get your knife and fork, because we do not have any electricity out here!"

You will be sucking up dirt the rest of your life if you do not have the power.

I think my first memory of anointing was when I was around the age of 10. I am sure I had seen it practiced before, but I can remember thinking, why? Why were they putting oil on that person’s head? Why were so many people coming up and laying hands on them? What was the point of the whole thing?

I can also remember doing an anointing back when we were church planting and having to explain the practice to some of our people that had not grown up in church, and I remember realizing how odd the practice might seem to someone who did not grow up with it. After all, ten year old me had some questions!

So, today we are going to unpack the idea of anointing- what it means and why we do it. To try and build our understanding of this special and important practice.

So, let’s begin with a history of anointing. First, we must remember that Christians are not the only ones who anoint. Other religions and practices anoint- some with oil and others with different kinds of liquids. But for our intents and purposes today we are going to specifically look at the Christian history and context of anointing.

The first anointing recorded in the Bible was not actually on a person, but on a stone set up like a pillar- the one that Jacob rested his head on as he dreamed about the ladder connecting heaven and Earth. In Moses anointed the tabernacle of the Lord’s presence and Aaron as the priest; In Saul is anointed for Kingship by Samuel; and a few chapters later in we read of David’s anointing to take over the throne. Jesus was anointed by a prostitute in ; and in we are told that the Disciples anointed many people.

In the CoB anointing has always been a core part of who we are. Since the inception of our denomination we have practiced 4 ordinances that hold our lives together as people of faith- Communion, feetwashing, baptism, and anointing. It is important for us to remember that the Brethren have always held the anointing service in the same light, or in the same manner as baptism and communion.

So perhaps the first question about anointing is “what is with the oil?” There are a million other things that could be used, right? So why oil? And what kind of oil is it, anyway? Well, the people of Jesus’ day would have used olive oil- after all it would have been the most accessible kind of oil for them.

It is also important to remember that oil had a 2 very important metaphorical meanings as well. Oil was extremely valuable and essential to the life of the Hebrew people- it was their most valuable cash crop. They used oil for all their trade purposes and bartering. Throughout the Bible the gift of oil and having oil to use was a sign of prosperity and life. When there was oil in the land then the people were prosperous and made money and means to live- so when the Bible uses oil as a metaphor it carries an understanding of God’s blessing and prosperity.

Second, oil is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. In times when oil was used to anoint it was understood that the oil was a reminder of the Holy Spirit. When most Christians today are asked for symbols they associate with the Holy Spirit most would probably say a dove or water, but for OT people the answer would have likely been oil.

Third, the Scriptures tell us to use oil. Plainly in the Scriptures say to anoint with oil.

So, why are people anointed? What should it be used for? tells us that sick people should be anointed. This is probably why most people are anointed. We gather around people in times of hard diagnosis, stressful treatments and procedures, and hard news and paths and lay hands on them and anoint. It is one of the most sacred and beautiful things that we do as a church. Some people are anointed here, publically in worship, and other choose to have their anointing done privately in my office or in their home with just a few people gathered around them.

Scripture also tells us that anointed can be used for consecration, or for setting apart for ministry. David and Saul and others tell us about anointing when the community wants to affirm someone’s gifts and abilities for ministry.

Third, we see in the Bible that some anointings are about spiritual protection.

The main question, then, in the relation to the theme we have been working at the past few weeks is how is anointing connected to healing. And the answer to that question is multi-layered.

First, anointing brings healing because it shows your obedience to Scripture. When we walk in obedience then God can and will honor us. Now, does that mean the healing is guaranteed, of course not. What it does mean, though, is that the door is opened and God can honor every part of our lives when we are in obedience. Obedience is the breeding ground of blessing.

Second, it gives us a moment for self evaluation. When I am going to anoint someone I normally will ask them about their standing with the Lord. Is there sin in their lives that needs to be repented of. Remember last week? We discussed how confession leads to healing. In anointing we get that built in moment to think about our need for confession, and have an opportunity to confess any sin in the midst of community.

Now, I will confess to you that I think that the last 2 ways that anointing is connected to healing are the most important. Some people think that there are miracles wrapped up in anointing. And at times there are, and I believe that God works miracles…sometimes… but the last 2 ways that we connect to healing are guaranteed every time.

First, anointing is a tangible moment for the body of Christ to stand with you. There is something empowering about feeling the hands of your brothers and sisters reaching out in prayer and support as you are anointed. To see the faces of your church family gathered around you in your moment of need. I often think of the hands reaching out to the person being anointed kind of like the hands of the friends pulling the roof back for their paralyzed friend.

Finally, anointing is a reminder of the presence of God that sits upon you. The way that the oil sits on your forehead is a reminder of God’s presence. Here’s the thing,friends, health concerns come and go- but God’s presence is eternal. Sickness may break your body, but the Spirit of God has sealed your soul.

Last thought, anointing reminds us that God is a God who cares about the person- and his connections are deeper than just vending machine healing. Jesus could have setup a healing booth on the side of the Sea of Galilee and just healed people in mass healing services, but he didn’t. He took the time to get to know them, hear their story, and connect with them. Even a woman who grabbed him by the coattail. He could have just went on, but he desired to connect with her and her story. Anointing is our moment to openly connect to one another and connect to Christ for healing in the midst of community.