Oil of Gladness

Hebrews chapter 1 verse 9 in the New Living Translation says of our Lord Jesus Christ “You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You, pouring out the oil of joy on You more than on anyone else”. The New American Standard version calls this “the oil of gladness”.

The oil signifies the anointing and with anointing comes power; this power is given by the Holy Spirit. Joy is one of the 9 fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Galatians. Acts chapter 13:52 tells us “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 10:38 speaks of “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power”. Isaiah 61 tells us “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me”. Our Lord appropriated these very words to Himself when He went into the Synagogue at Nazareth and opened the book at this place wherein these words are written and said “This day this Scripture is fulfilled in your ears”.

One well known bible teacher tells us that the fruit of the Spirit are powerful weapons of our warfare. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength. By the oil of the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened. Oil that is applied to the skin makes it supple and soft, how beautiful it is then to see the softness and tenderness of heart in a person who is yielded to this oil of gladness of the Holy Spirit. Peace that passes understanding is able to overcome anxiety as we bring our requests to the Father in prayer.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord, Saviour and Friend – being delivered from the dominion of sin, we have more room for the joy of the Lord to abide within us. Hebrews says the ‘oil of gladness is poured out on Him above His companions because of the passion with which He loves righteousness and hates sin.’

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let us desire passionately to follow after the ways of the Lord, leaving no room for sin in our hearts; knowing that as we seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, all the things we need will be added to us. How wonderful being anointed with this oil of gladness; the Presence of the Holy Spirit in greater measure as we walk with Him and follow His leading.

God’s rich blessings.

Kath