Out of the Box

In what has been lauded as one of the boldest and most intimate acts of worship, the Gospels detail for us the experience of Mary of Bethany, who anoints Jesus with precious oil. What we know about this scripture is that the oil she used was of significant personal expense. (We must remember that the anointing necessitates a cost). She brings her Alabaster box, and research suggests that it had been sealed tightly with wax so as not to prematurely or accidentally release the oil and its fragrance.

In the life of David, we see that he was anointed king three times, the first was a private anointing by the prophet Samuel, which notates God’s selection or choosing (I Samuel 16:13). The second was a public anointing by the nation of Judah as affirmation or acceptance of his kingship by the people (II Samuel 2:4). Lastly, David was anointed King over all of Israel (II Samuel 5:3). Yet none of these anointings came without cost, but are evidence of the factors of time, proving, and equipping the anointed before the assignment could be fully and completely realized.

We are reminded in II Corinthians 4 and 17 that our light afflictions work an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. What does this have to do with the anointing? The word weight in this context can be translated to mean authority.What we can derive, then, is that our trials, be they financial, physical, familial or otherwise, are in fact designed to elevate us in spiritual rank over that which we have overcome, and produces in us another level of anointing, or yoke-destroying authority. The cost of that experience, loss, sickness, financial lack, burden and other life-altering circumstance results in an anointing to carry out a spiritual assignment.

The question then is, if we have paid the costly expense of our oil, why do some yet retain it in our wax-sealed Alabaster boxes? Is it for fear, public opinion, or perhaps feelings of inadequacy that some who are equipped to minister life and hope into others, remain hesitant? The presence of our King, Great Jehovah, has been revealed and lives in and among us. Yet we sometimes hesitate to pour out that for which we have paid so dearly. Let us walk with righteous and holy boldness to allow the work of the ministry to prevail in our lives for the sake and strengthening of the Body of Christ, and the healing of those around us.

Mary of Bethany’s unction to pour out her costly oil made way and preparation for Jesus to complete His assignment here on earth. Perhaps, the anointing we hesitate to release is intended to make way for God to bring forth healing, deliverance and liberty to the brokenhearted and the bound.

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

Be encouraged my dear brother and sister, and with all decency and humility, pour out that which God has placed within you for the sake of the Kingdom.