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The following blog is a summary of a message preached by Pastor Eddie Lawrence.

Watch the Sermon HERE!

The holy anointing oil mentioned in Scripture carries profound spiritual significance that applies directly to our lives today. When we understand what this sacred oil represents and how it points to Christ, we gain deeper insight into our own spiritual authority and empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

What Was the Holy Anointing Oil?

In Exodus 30:22-33, God gave Moses a specific recipe for creating holy anointing oil. This wasn't just any oil—it was specially formulated with precise ingredients:

  • 500 shekels of liquid myrrh
  • 250 shekels of sweet-smelling cinnamon
  • 250 shekels of sweet-smelling cane (calamus)
  • 500 shekels of cassia
  • A hin of olive oil as the base

 

God was very specific about this oil's use, saying: "This shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations." He established clear prohibitions—it wasn't to be poured on just anyone's flesh, nor were people to make any other oil like it. The consequences for misusing it were severe: whoever used it improperly would be "cut off" from the people.

How Was Anointing Oil Used in Scripture?

The anointing oil was used to consecrate priests for service, anoint kings, and sanctify the tabernacle furnishings. In Psalm 133, we see a beautiful picture of unity compared to "the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments."

In the New Testament, we see Jesus' disciples anointing the sick with oil (Mark 6:13), and James 5:14 instructs that when believers are sick, they should "call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

What Does the Anointing Oil Represent Spiritually?

The anointing oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Acts 10:38 tells us "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

As believers, we now have this same anointing. 1 John 2:20 says, "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things." Verse 27 continues, "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you."

What Do the Ingredients of the Anointing Oil Symbolize?

Each ingredient in the holy anointing oil carries prophetic significance that points to Christ and has application for our lives today:

Myrrh: Healing Through Woundedness

Myrrh came from a tree with spiky thorns. When the bark was wounded, a fragrant resin would flow out and harden. This symbolizes how Jesus was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5), and how through His wounds we find healing.

In our own lives, myrrh reminds us that even in our woundedness, we can produce a fragrance of worship rather than bitterness. The enemy wants our wounds to make us bitter, but through Christ, our wounds can become opportunities for worship and testimony.

Cinnamon: Passion and Zeal

Cinnamon, with its fiery, spicy nature, represents passion and zeal. We see this in Jesus when He cleansed the temple (John 2:17). Romans 12:11 calls us to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Our faith should never be lukewarm but burning with holy passion.

Calamus (Sweet Cane): Uprightness and Integrity

This reed grows straight and tall, symbolizing uprightness and integrity. When crushed, it releases a sweet fragrance. This represents Christ's perfect righteousness and how, even under pressure, His character remained pure and fragrant.

For us, this means standing firm in righteousness even when pressed by circumstances, allowing trials to release the sweet fragrance of Christ in our lives.

Cassia: Humility and Submission

Similar to cinnamon but with a different fragrance, cassia means "to strip off" or "to bow down." This speaks of Christ's humility—how He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).

We're called to this same humility, stripping away pride and bowing in submission to God's will.

Olive Oil: The Holy Spirit

The olive oil served as the base into which all other ingredients were infused. This represents the Holy Spirit, who was given to Jesus "without measure" (John 3:34) and now dwells in believers.

How Does Understanding the Anointing Apply to My Life Today?

 

  • You are already anointed. If you're a believer, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. This isn't something you need to earn or achieve—it's a gift given to all who are in Christ.

 

  • Your anointing has purpose. Just as Jesus used His anointing to do good and heal those oppressed by the devil, we're called to use our anointing to minister to others.

 

  • The anointing breaks yokes. Isaiah 10:27 says, "The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." The Holy Spirit's power in you can break bondages in your life and in the lives of others.

 

  • Your life should emit a fragrance. When the ingredients of the anointing oil are present in your life—when you're walking in the Spirit—your life will emit the fragrance of Christ to those around you.

 

Life Application

This week, I challenge you to walk consciously in your anointing. Remember that you have the Holy Spirit living in you, empowering you for kingdom work regardless of your occupation or circumstances.

Ask yourself these questions:

 

  • What "fragrance" am I emitting to those around me? Does my life reflect the character of Christ?

 

  • How am I using the anointing God has given me? Am I ministering to those who are oppressed or hurting?

 

  • In what areas of my life do I need to yield more fully to the Holy Spirit's control?

 

  • Where have I been relying on my own strength rather than the power of the anointing?

 

  • How can I consecrate myself more fully to God's purposes this week?

 

Remember, you don't need to strive for an anointing—you already have it. Your responsibility is to walk in it, yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to manifest Christ's character through you. As you do, you'll find yourself empowered to fulfill God's purposes in ways you never thought possible.