Date: 11/10/2009
Author: Devin
Title: The Anointing
In my 40 years on this earth, I have heard of it happening only a couple of other times. That certainly doesn't mean that it might not happen with greater regularity elsewhere, but at the very most, I think it would be safe to say that other such instances, at least in our fellowship, are minimal at best. After it happened, I began wondering why it didn't happen more. As I thought about it, I decided that the reason it doesn't happen more often is certainly not because there is a lack of those who need it. Fact of the matter is, the older I get, the more folks I come in contact with who I believe are viable candidates for this experience. I myself should have probably availed myself of it on an occasion or two. Lest I keep you in suspense any longer, this strange phenomenon that I speak of is the anointing of someone with oil.
A few weeks ago, a precious lady responded publicly to the Lord's invitation here at Fairfield. As I sat with her on the pew, I figured her request would be one of two things .... 1. To be baptized OR 2. To ask for the prayers of the congregation. I based my assumptions that one of these two things would be her request because for the most part, those are the only two things I have ever known someone to ask for. But ..... this time was different. This fine Christian woman explained to me that she had some health issues going on in her life and that she wanted the elders of this congregation to anoint her with oil and pray for her. For just a brief second I was taken back. For just a split moment I did a quick Biblical scan through my mind to see if I could remember if this was a “Holy Scripture, New Testament authorized” request. Thankfully, though this was a new experience to me, my internal, two-second Biblical scan chased my memory to the New Testament book of James, 2nd chapter, 14th verse. (page 1021 in my Bible) The verse reads as follows, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (NIV) I will give you a minute to go check your Bible to make sure it is in yours as well. My guess is, you will find it in the same place I did ..... just maybe not on page 1021 :)
Just a few hours after the morning services, this woman's request was granted to her by the eldership here. Afterwards, I had one of the elders tell me that it was one of the most moving, spiritual things he had ever been a part of. Though I was not personal witness to the actual anointing, just knowing that it was done was a moving, spiritual moment for me as well. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least. It shed some light on the fact that, try as we might, we don't always utilize those tools God has put in place for us that can be a tremendous blessing in our individual lives and in the life of a collective church family.
Is it a guarantee that the anointing of oil by an eldership will make someone well? No. Is there something physically healing about the hands of those who Shepherd over a congregation? No ..... no more than any one else's hands. Is virgin olive oil, or any other oil for that matter, the end-all, be-all elixir for anything that ails you? I think not. James tells us the driving force behind any anointing experience is through faith and prayer. An anointing is a visible sign of the faith in an Almighty, powerful God. I knew of a Godly woman years ago who was told she had just a short time left to live because of a rare form of cancer that was quickly ravaging her body. At that particular time in her life, this woman had raised all of her children, 5 boys, with the exception of her lone little girl who was just in the 5th grade. Immediately this woman's home congregation began praying for her healing. Soon after, countless other congregations began praying for her as well. Eventually, there were very few believers in that area who did not utter this woman's name each time they prayed to God. This faithful lady requested that the elders of her church, one of whom was her husband, to anoint her with oil and pray over her. Her one request to God was that she could live long enough to raise her last child through her last year of high school. The rest of the story? Well, tell you what, just come up to where I sit on the second pew from the front and ask my wife. She will tell you of her memories of having a wonderful, loving, Christian mom. In fact, she will tell you that Carl and Laverne Burton were the best parents anyone could ever have. She will also tell you that she buried her mom some time after she graduated from high school ..... over 8 years later. Does anointing with oil always work? No. Are there instances where it sure didn't hurt? Ask Angie.
Go the extra mile - Devin