Anointed for Purpose

Luke 4:18–21 (NLT)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, 

that the blind will see, 

that the oppressed will be set free, 

19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.*” 

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Cultural Symbolism

Symbol of Abundance

Deuteronomy 8:8 (NLT)

8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 

Purity and Holiness

Exodus 30:25
“Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.”

Healing properties

Long Lasting

Association with Light

1 Samuel 16:13: 

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”

1 Samuel 9:17 (NLT)

17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said, “That’s the man I told you about! He will rule my people.” 

1 Samuel 9:20 (NLT)

20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” 

1 Samuel 9:21 (NLT)

21 Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” 

Position is not a product of or

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NLT)

27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world,* things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 

Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)

5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. 

Before you were born I set you apart 

and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” 

Position is in us 

1 Samuel 10:1 (NLT)

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.*

1 Samuel 10:1 (NLT)

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.* 

Position is for God’s special  

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.