Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.
On our recent tour of the Holy Land, we were shown the ancient olive press in Capernaum used in the time of Jesus. The first drops of oil from the press are called “extra virgin†olive oil. In ancient times, this first oil would be given directly to the local synagogue for the purpose of worship.
The second pressing would produce an oil of a less pure nature but still very high quality. This virgin oil would be used in the household for cooking, eating, cleaning, healing, and for moisturizing the skin. In the dry Mediterranean climate, anointing themselves with oil would prevent many maladies given access through unhealthy, cracked skin. The oil would create a boundary on the skin that protected and prevented contamination.
Isaiah 1:6
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness, only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed of bandaged or soothed with oil. (NIV)
The Hebrew word for oil press is “Gethsemane†– as in, the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus entered a place of pressing that revealed the purity of His calling. IT is the same with us. Getting something, pure is one thing; keeping it that way is another. We are pressed on all side in order for our lives to produce the pure anointing oil He has called us to. The product of the pressing should be an increase in our worship and anointing. But we must be sure to apply that anointing as a boundary against the contamination of our thoughts. The mind absorbs negatively like the skin absorbs toxins.
So just as the ancient peoples anointed their skin (the largest organ of the body) with pure oil, so also should we create a boundary of anointing around our minds by meditating on the Word of God.
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Ecclesiastes 9:8
Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
When we meditate on God’s Word, our mind is soothed and healed. As the anointing coats our thoughts we are protected, purified and prepared for the days to come.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray that your precious anointing oil be poured out on each on reading this, right now. Through the power of thought and understanding, let our minds be coated in the oil of gladness over us cleansing and comforting us like warm, fragrant oil. It is our desire to please you by living a pure life. WE would never be worthy of your Gethsemane except that your pressing purifies us.
We dedicate our thoughts to You, Lord. We commit to meditate on and delight in Your word. Let everything impure be driven out and crushed until all that remains is the pure anointing of Your purpose in our lives. Amen!
