Healing and Restoration

One of the most prominent mentions of anointing oil in the New Testament is found in the book of James.

James 5:14-15: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”

This passage highlights the role of anointing oil in the healing ministry of the early Church. The faith act of anointing the sick with oil, accompanied by fervent prayer, was often followed with healing miracles. It signified faith in God’s ability to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually. 

Consecration and Empowerment

Anointing also signifies consecration—a setting apart for holy purposes. This concept is deeply ingrained in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ Himself is often referred to as the “Anointed One” (Greek: Christos). This title emphasizes His divine mission and authority. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Here, Jesus identifies His anointing as the foundation of His ministry. The anointing oil, therefore, is symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s presence and empowerment. This is for believes today as well, with anointing oil representing the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and equipping for service and ministry.

Preparation and Remembrance

The anointing of Jesus with oil appears multiple times in the Gospels, each time with profound significance. When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with costly perfume, 

He declared: “She has done a beautiful thing to me… she poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial” (Mark 14:6,8).

This association between anointing and burial preparation reveals another dimension of anointing oil’s symbolism, it can represent sacrifice, devotion, and sacred remembrance. Just as Jesus’ body was anointed in preparation for the ultimate sacrifice, our use of anointing oil today can serve as a physical reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and our own commitment to sacrificial living. In this light, anointing becomes not just an act of seeking blessing or healing, but a profound reminder of the cost of our redemption and our call to follow in Christ’s selfless footsteps.

Practical Applications

Today, anointing oil continues to be used in homes, families, churches, and individuals lives every day.

For instance:

• Healing Services: Many churches hold special services where individuals can be anointed with oil for healing, following the model prescribed in James 5:14-15.
• Ordination and Commissioning: Anointing with oil is often part of the ordination of ministers and the commissioning of missionaries, symbolizing their consecration to God’s service.
• Personal Devotion: Many believers use anointing oil in their personal prayer and devotional time, seeking God’s healing and presence in a tangible way.

Conclusion

The use of anointing oil in the New Testament is a powerful reminder how God can and often does use physical things on earth in combination with our faith to bring miracles. Through the ages, it remains a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s enduring work in and through the lives of those who follow Christ.

Questions to ponder:

• What is one way you could incorporate anointing oil into your prayer life this year?
• How has God used a physical thing to encourage your faith and speak to you personally?
• Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed odd as an act of faith?