The anointing

Anointing means spreading or rubbing an ointment or oil to a person or object. The term comes from the Latin "ungere" (smear). The origin of the anointing arises from when the shepherds smeared oil on the sheep to protect them from insects.

In the Bible we see three different kinds of anointing:

1) Routine or ordinary anointing – Used as a gesture of hospitality and respect for visitors or guests, it was also used as part of the preparation of corpses. It was discontinued because of mourning or bereavement.

· " But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face," (Matthew 6:17 NIV)

· " Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." (Proverbs 27:9 NIV)

· " When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body." (Mark 16:1 NIV)

· "So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead." (2 Samuel 14:2 NIV)

2) Sacred anointing – It is used to dedicate or consecrate an object or person to God. The term "anointed" is used in the Holy Scriptures to refer to God's elect. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and his actions on someone.

The words Messiah (from Hebrew) and Christ (from Greek) mean "the anointed one." We also see how Jesus is described as anointed:

· " You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him." (Acts 10:37-38 NIV)

Thus we see how the tabernacle, its furniture, and the priests were anointed by God's instructions:

· " Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels[a] of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels[b] of fragrant calamus, 24 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin[c] of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 26 Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. 30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. 33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’” 34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people." (Exodus 30:22-38 NIV)

Let us observe how those of us who accept Christ are also anointed:

· "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV)

3) Medical anointing – Used for the sick or injured. Sometimes it was for miraculous healing and sometimes used for normal healing as a medical treatment.

· "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. 15 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." (James 5:14-15 NIV)

· " He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV)

I don't want to conclude without the following clarification. It is important to emphasize that anointing is not a magic rite since oil has no supernatural powers, nor does the rite have value or transcendence in itself. The oil is a symbol and it is God who has the power to change the state of a person or an object. Anointing should only be used within biblical parameters with due respect and for due reason.