The Shepherd and His Sheep - Part 15

The Lord is my Shepherd. He anoints my head with oil.

This is both a practical and a symbolic blessing. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Oil was used in lamps to provide light. It was used for cooking. Oil was used for healing wounds and softening skin. Oil was used to welcome to a guest. Oil was used on sheep was to protect the soft venerable skin on the face and ears because it brought healing and relief from pests and parasites. 

The Shepherd anoints my head with oil.

In the Bible oil was used to “anoint” those chosen for special tasks like king, prophet or priest.  He has chosen me to bear fruit or evidence that His Holy Spirit lives in and through me. Love is the fruit and it goes on to produce joy, peace, patience, gentleness, self-control, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. The Lord is also my Gardener and I am His vine, His plant. Mystery of mysteries my Shepherd is the Vine and I am a branch. I must abide in Him or I will dry up. When I abide in Him, I bear fruit.

The Shepherd has anointed my head with oil – He has chosen me. Psalm 23, John 15

“‘You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.’” John 15:16-17 (NLT)

By Commissioner Debi Bell