The Anointing

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.

The disciples were puzzled by Jesus. They could never figure out what made him tick or why he said what he said. And yet, for three years they were drawn to him; irresistibly drawn to his teachings, his presence.

The parables were like riddles, nearly devoid of meaning at the time they heard them. As I read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) I can see the disciples looking quizzically at each other trying to figure out what this all means. Seeds eaten by birds? Seeds on dry ground? Seeds in the thorny places? Huh? Using only their minds, they heard the words but didn't relate to the message.

I see those same disciples at Pentecost speaking the Word of Truth to the crowd. I can see them all slapping their foreheads, "Duh! Now I get it! " For they could see the seeds of Truth bursting forth from their lips sometimes falling on the side of the road — through one ear and out the other. They could see seeds producing a flash-in-the-pan mountaintop experience but soon withering unnourished. They could see seeds falling into the thorny thicket of warped beliefs and heresies choking the life out of what was heard. And they could see the words of their mouths as they fell on receptive, open, fertile souls eager to form a holistic continuing relationship with what was said. What's the difference? The difference is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The difference is the anointing.

Now, I think we can see what this is, this anointing of which John speaks. It is an illumination of the mind and the heart, and a deep persuasion from the Holy Spirit. It involves intense powers of persuasion, it is a compelling thing, but it is not an impartation of knowledge. It is not a case of the Holy Spirit giving information which is not recorded in the Bible; it is a taking of the Scriptures and confirming them. It is a witness, confirming a fact. An exterior fact, with an interior confirmation or witness.

From THE TEACHING SPIRIT, by Ray C. Stedman

The indwelling of the Spirit is an intensely personal relationship. It requires all of my attention, not just my mind, not just my heart. It is a teaching that can train my body. It is a teaching that can instruct my soul. I am coming to realize that this anointing is a two-way deal. When the Holy Spirit took up residence (abided) in me, he came as a person — all at once. As John points out in this week's verse, my challenge is to likewise abide in him with all of who I am, not just one little piece of me.

Where am I heading with this? Where I am being led is challenging my abilities to their limits and beyond. What follows is a random spattering of sketches on the walls of my soul.

Instead of just casually poking at the Bible once in a while, become engaged with it. Wake up with it in the morning. Sleep on it at night. Let its light illuminate my body, nourish my soul, instruct my mind, and direct the yearnings of my heart.

In my love for my daughters, support them, mentor them, live the values I want them to cherish. Catch them when they fall. Open doors of opportunity for them. Stand back and smile whether they proceed through the doors or not. Cheer for them in all they do – pom-poms and all. Intercede for them. Pray for them.

In my marriage, celebrate our individual gifts and differences. Blend our lives together like a vanilla chocolate swirl around a caramel-rich center of faith in Christ.

Instead of trying to rationalize someone's malevolence, let the hurt pass through and love them for who they are before God.

Ooh. That's a tough one. That's really stretching it. But, then, maybe I need to be stretched.

Let the indwelling of the Holy Spirit instruct my body in what it eats, what it drinks, what it looks at, how it touches, what it speaks, what it chooses to hear.

Take four pieces of differently colored clay representing my mind, body, spirit, and heart. Knead them into one color. Wrap the clay around Jesus and offer it as a gift to someone who needs to experience who he is.

That's easy for those I already like. Now try it with someone I can't stand…or someone I need to forgive…or ask forgiveness from.

Take that same piece of clay, wrap it around Jesus, then close my eyes and rest. Rest in the Lord. Rest in the One from whom all blessings flow. Feel the presence. Listen for the quiet places. Experience the peace. Learn simply by spending time with Him. Let the holy oil of the anointing soak into and through my entire being.

Do the same with the Bible, for it is alive as well.

Do I spend too much time analyzing Jesus, wondering what He would do in this situation or that, wondering what a Christian should do, analyzing my faith? By doing so, don't I distance Him from the rest of me? I turn away from the personal relationship, then distance some more by wondering why I asked the questions in the first place. When I return, repent, and lean into the embrace of his welcoming arms, I need no longer ask why. I need not ask, "Are you there, Lord?" My acceptance of his embrace answers all...by gently removing the questions.

Is this making any sense? The message here is much larger than I am able to craft into words. But that won't keep me from trying.

Lord! Clear out the "whys." Erase the "what ifs." Purge the "shoulds." Wrap that self-clay of the whole of me as a tabernacle around your Holy Spirit — the source of all Love, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Truth. Teach me to abide in you, Lord, as you abide in me — live in and through me — all of me. Amen.