Blood and Oil
Pastor Alex Hall
In our modern world, it's easy to lose sight of the profound spiritual truths that have guided believers for centuries. Two powerful symbols - blood and oil - hold deep significance in our faith journey, yet their meaning often eludes us. Today, let's explore these symbols and how they can transform our walk with God.
The Blood: A Sacrifice We've Forgotten
We live in a culture that has largely sanitized the concept of blood. It's something we'd rather not think about, let alone discuss in spiritual terms. But this disconnection from the reality of blood sacrifice leaves us with an incomplete understanding of our faith.
In ancient times, the Israelites understood the weight of blood sacrifice. During Passover, each family would bring a lamb to the temple. Imagine the scene: thousands of lambs, each producing gallons of blood. The temple would have been awash in crimson, a visceral reminder of the cost of sin and the power of redemption.
This isn't just ancient history. The blood of Jesus Christ, God's own Son, was shed for our transgressions. Isaiah 53:5 reminds us: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
We must reclaim a reverence for the blood. It's not just a lyric in a hymn or a metaphor - it's the very means of our salvation. When we truly grasp the significance of Christ's blood, we begin to understand the depth of God's love and the high cost of our redemption.
The Oil: The Often-Forgotten Power
While many of us have heard about being "washed in the blood," fewer understand the importance of being anointed with oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit, and it's essential for living a victorious Christian life.
Think about oil's properties. It stains, it spreads, it leaves a lasting mark. When we're filled with the Holy Spirit, we should leave a similar impact on the world around us. The fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - should be evident in our lives, marking us as distinctly different.
Many believers know about the blood but have never experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit. They're saved, but they're not empowered. They're forgiven, but they're not transformed. We need both the blood and the oil to live the abundant life Christ promised.
Unity in Diversity: The Church Alive
One of the beautiful effects of being covered in both blood and oil is the unity it brings among believers. Ephesians 2:13 declares, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
In a world that seems increasingly divided, the church should stand as a testament to the unifying power of Christ. We may come from different backgrounds, have different preferences in worship styles, or hold varying views on secondary theological issues. But when we're covered in the blood of Jesus and filled with His Spirit, these differences fade in importance.
This unity doesn't mean uniformity. Rather, it's a beautiful tapestry of diverse believers united under the banner of Christ. It's a powerful witness to a fractured world, showing that true reconciliation is possible through Jesus.
Awakening the Dry Bones
The prophet Ezekiel had a vision of a valley full of dry bones. God asked him, "Can these bones live?" This vision is a powerful metaphor for spiritual revival, both in individual lives and in the church as a whole.
Many of us have experienced seasons of spiritual dryness. Perhaps you've felt like those dry bones - disconnected, lifeless, far from God. But the same power that raised Jesus from the dead can breathe new life into your spirit.
It starts with a willingness to hear and respond to God's Word. As Ezekiel prophesied to the bones, they began to rattle and come together. Sinews and flesh appeared, and finally, the breath of God brought them to life.
This is a picture of what can happen in our lives and our churches when we allow both the blood of Jesus to cleanse us and the oil of the Holy Spirit to fill us. Dry bones come to life. Dead churches are revived. Communities are transformed.
A Call to Action
So where do we go from here? How do we apply these truths to our daily lives?
Seek a fresh revelation of the blood of Jesus. Meditate on scriptures that speak of His sacrifice. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the depth of His love for you.
Ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Don't be content with past experiences. The Bible speaks of being continually filled with the Spirit.
Pursue unity with other believers. Look for ways to build bridges, not walls. Remember that we are all part of one body in Christ.
Be open to God's transforming work in your life. Like those dry bones, you may feel lifeless, but God can breathe new life into you.
Share your testimony. As you experience the power of the blood and the oil in your life, don't keep it to yourself. Your story could be the catalyst for someone else's awakening.
In conclusion, let's not settle for a sanitized, powerless version of Christianity. Let's embrace the full power of the blood of Jesus and the oil of the Holy Spirit. As we do, we'll find ourselves transformed, united with other believers, and making a real impact in our world.
May we never again take lightly the blood that was shed for us or the Spirit who empowers us. Let's live as people marked by both - covered in the blood, anointed with oil, and ready to see God move in unprecedented ways in our lives and our world.