what is the meaning of that which is written: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone”? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed’” (NIV). The choice is obvious. We will either choose to fall on the Rock, humbly submitting to Christ, or He will lovingly bring us to a place of surren- der. It is all because of the “oil” that He desires to bring out of our lives.

The Practice of the Anointing

There are numerous ways that the anointing is released. A perusal of Scrip- ture identifies some obvious ways the anointing is productively communicated.

Compassion. On the verge of the miraculous feeding of thousands, we see the heart of the Lord. “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude” (Mat- thew 15:32). Touch. In Luke 4:40, the anointing was released from Jesus through touch. “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.” In Luke 8:44-46 we see how the anointing was released when a woman touched Jesus’ garment. “Jesus said, ‘Somebody touched me, for I perceived power going out from Me’” (v. 47 NKJV).

Speaking. While ministering healing to Simon’s mother-in-law, who was “taken with a great fever” (Luke 4:38), Jesus simply spoke and anointing was released. “He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them” (v. 39). As we consider the anointing that was upon Jesus Christ, we concur with the words of the Song of Solomon: “Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes” (1:3 NIV). May God help us to carry His fragrance!

Tim Oldfield is senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a Church of God congregation in Colum- bus, Ohio.

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