Acts 2:1-4 ~ filled †

Acts 2:1-4

 

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from Heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 

3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

I was looking at Social Media today, FB, Asbury University Revival / Outpouring, looking at a Post explaining about Sheep being anointed with oil. And remembered this with delight. The site is very encouraging.

This jogged a thought on anointing and blessing.  What blessing do we find during Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Lent. 

Sheep are anointed for a very good purpose.  

There are actually great reasons to anoint sheep with oil. Here are three top reasons to put oil on your sheep:

1. Seasons of Life: FIGHTING RAMS, protection and safety

Rams may fight for the favor of the ewes by butting one another, head-on, with great force. Can cause serious injury or even death.

Shepherds would often grease the rams’ head and horns heavily to slip away from impact.

2. NOSE FLIES, environment

Nose flies buzz around a sheep’s nose. The hovering flies can cause sheep to panic and run wildly. If the fly is successful, in a few days, larvae hatch, burrow into the soft flesh of the sheep’s nasal passages. This causes irritation, inflammation and infection can lead to death. Gruesome.

Pain will cause the sheep to rub its head on the ground, thrash through underbrush and even bang its head on tree trunks attempting to get rid of the intruders.

For millenniums, shepherds would watch for the first indication of nose flies and then apply a natural repellent made of olive oil and strongly scented, medicinal essential oils.

3. SCAB DISEASE, illness and unseen dangers.

Another contagious disease  - scab. A parasitic condition caused by a mite called Psoroptes ovis that is spread from sheep to sheep through friendly head-butting and rubbing. Thwarted by being anointed with oil.

David was anointed by an unhappy Samuel. And David knew to plan his life around the anointing. 23 years of terrible situations and more than 4 coronations, putting his life back on the line, each time.  David found his life to be Psalm 23, Sufficient and with the Lord's favor. Overcoming. Strength to fight the Good Fight.

When we read John 14, 15, 16 and 17, we are reading about a dying man being persecuted, soon to die terribly, explaining to His Dear Friends, He called Family: 

 Jesus' own Joy and overcoming sorrow. 

This is a strong verbal anointing. 

Life as death looms. 

Peace as suffering will be present. 

Prophetic Knowledge, having signs, to give hope as the dark prevails until Light overcomes and Triumphs.

 John 17 is an anointing today. Jesus Prays. Today.

What did all of this do to help the Disciples?

Jesus is the Way and the Truth and LIFE

The Romans weren't selective on Capital Punishment. Not a lot of self-help philosophies for those who threatened Caesar and his Empire. The Book of Acts refers to other religious factions claiming glory in front of Herod and Rome. Not many survivors.

No wonder the Disciples hid during Good Friday and Easter until Jesus is known to be Victorious, as He told the Disciples.

The Romans decimated within their military legions. If the Tribune thought there was disobedience or mutiny, they lined up and killed every tenth soldier. This would continue until the problem was solved. More than 1 in 10 soldiers would die. It could go as high as 1 in 3 soldiers. Romans were historically enthusiastic about crucifixion in large numbers.

The Disciples escaped the Roman crucifixion, forcefully probable only because the prayers of Jesus in John 17 reached the ears of our Father in Heaven.  In the same way Daniel had God's help during enslavement to survive and prosper. An intervention of the Lord, miraculously.

Acts 2 is described as flames of fire. There is no doubt, on the Road to Emmaus, the men describe this situation with Jesus of Nazareth as being something everyone in Judea knew about. These men knew, as Lazarus lived from being dead, Jesus was in Terrible Trouble with Herod, the Temple Guards, The Sanhedrin, and the Roman Empire. These Disciples had known they were living through the fire.

The Anointing gives Hope, Encouragement, Strength

and Resilience

Moses was to understand about living through the fire. And like the anointed Sheep, the Gift of God's Protection is in His anointing.

The Blessing of Abraham continues:

Genesis 27 

So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. 

28 May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth— an abundance of grain and new wine. 

29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. 

May those who curse you be cursed, 

and those who bless you be blessed.”

Abba, Father,

We pray our prayers are effective

in Your Mercy.

We ask for more of Your Favor on the Believing

Prayers

And the Joy of the Lord is our

Strength in our prayers to help

Your good Creation.

Anoint us with Your Joy

and Strength

and we overcome

Blessing Mississippi's Lower River Valley

and Nashville's Covenant Church and School.

Helping Ukraine.

Blessing Your Good Creation.

We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus