Why The Oil Matters
Isaiah 53:10
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes[a] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
When I think about the Oil, my heart returns to the place where Christ laid down His life for us, but I cannot imagine the spiritual anguish He endured —the crushing that began the minute His assignment began—what He would endure for us. However, I believe that the oil of our salvation was being poured out while He taught, as He healed, as He corrected, and as He pushed through every religious system to tear its power down to reveal that He was the fulfillment of it all.
We now have the honor to carry the oil of our salvation, the oil of His sacrifice, because He endured the crushing. Oftentimes we find it hard to understand the process of producing the oil and the character and maturity to sustain it. For example, we fail to see that suffering in our lives produces something valuable and enduring. Sometimes, in these revelations, the crushing does not always produce the oil of life; rather, when we fall into moments of pain, we can produce bitterness, frustration, anger, and limitations because of a lack of knowledge.
Reason! The reason is that we blame the circumstances of our struggle on what we see or on God and others; we do not allow what we have endured to produce the oil of faith that lasts.
Unforgiveness shows up in these places: entitlement, victim mentality, or justifying why one may feel unseen or unwanted. But what needs to take place is self-evaluation. The Psalmist David prayed in
Psalms 130:23-24 -
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We often speak of pressing and crushing to get oil from the olive, which, in the spirit, is a process required of us to be purified and sanctified. It is to be HOLY. This transformation is needed for us to walk in the Father's perfect will.
Oil signifies so many things in the word of God. Anointing—King David was anointed with oil before he took the throne. It was an anointing of God's choice and assignment upon His life. Like the oil in our lamps—the 10 virgins: 5 were wise, and 5 were foolish. The 5 foolish depended on others to fill their lamps and never obtained oil for themselves. This is our walk with Christ: daily, not part-time.
The oil of gladness—the strength of the Lord signifies healing, restoration, and beauty for ashes instead of mourning. The oil that sustains for joy reminds us that Joy does come in the morning. The oil that heals us physically- laying hands on the sick is to anoint and pray the prayer of faith that heals, to lay at the altar and surrender.
Everything points to Christ. He is the Oil! So wherever you find yourself today, trust in Him and let the pain produce perseverance, and the struggles produce faith and courage. Because I tell you that Jesus is in it all, and He can redeem it all and turn it around for you.
Let the crushing moments produce the Oil that sustains until He Returns!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You understand the hearts of everyone reading this today. I pray that they have the perseverance to keep moving forward in their faith, walking in the light of Your understanding. I cover them in the mighty name of Jesus. Move powerfully in their lives and produce the oil of life in everything they experience. We love and honor You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen
Blessings, Ps. Brenda Ortiz
Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in Peace.” Luke 8:48 (NIV)
