Daily Bread - DEC/10/07

Leviticus 21:12 - And he shall not go out from the sanctuary and he shall not defile the sanctuary of his God for the crown of anointing oil of his God is upon him I am YHWH.

The anointing that the high priest received from God was a crown of glory that represented his divine office as God's representative. The anointing oil actually referred to the Spirit of God and the glory of God that was upon the high priest. The high priest was the one who was God's representative to the people and the people's representative to God. Therefore, he was endued with the power and authority to show forth the glory of the Almighty. The sanctuary was not to be his constant abode but no matter where he was it was essential for him to remember who he was and what he represented, yet, mentally, he was to consider himself always in the sanctuary. He was given an anointing from God that was sacred and glorious. He could never again think of himself in an ordinary way. He could never allow himself to do things or be involved in things that would in any way devalue - much less profane - his majestic office. The high priest was the ambassador of God and the representative of His presence and power in the earth.

Jesus was crowned with glory and honor as the one who was anointed above all others (Hebrews 1:9). The crown of glory that He wore was the anointing of the Spirit without measure (John 3:34; Psalms 45:7; Hebrews 1:9; Isaiah 11:2; Luke 3:22; Colossians 1:28; Galatians 3:27; Romans 8:29-30). The same anointing that was poured out upon Jesus has been poured out upon us (John 16:13; 17:21-23; Acts 2:4; Isaiah 62:1-3; 1 Peter 2:9). We have received the anointing to be the sons of God, co-inheritors with Christ, and the ambassadors of Christ representing the risen savior among the nations (John 1:12; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Acts 4:33; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; Isaiah 61:1). When the anointing came upon Saul to be king he was changed into a different man, but when the anointing came upon us to be the sons of God we were made a new creation (1 Samuel 10:1, 6; 1 John 2:27; John 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Isaiah 51:11). We must recognize at all times that the crown of the anointing oil is upon our heads. Unlike the high priest who had a measure of the anointing poured out upon him we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Psalms 133:2; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org