The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. – Isaiah 61:1

Scripture reading: Luke 4:14-21

Anointing is not a modern practice. In Bible days, anointing was more common, but yet special. Scripture gives sufficient examples of those anointed as prophets, priests and kings.

Anointing symbolized God’s authorization by way of His Holy Spirit. Those anointed were consecrated to special work within the covenant community—proclamation, intercession, or acts of dominion.

Rarely would those offices be combined; however, in the coming of Jesus Christ, we find these offices united in the Word of God, Who would become the Royal Priest of His people, even as Jesus quotes and expounds from Isaiah 61 in Luke 4.

In the aftermath of the triumph of Christ, the followers of Christ come to be known as Christians (Acts 11:26), and are endowed with a united anointing of their own (1 John 2:20, 27) which reflects the unique anointing of Christ. As Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit, so are Christians, to confess Christ (prophet), to be living sacrifices (priests) and to strive against sin (royalty, Lord’s Day 12). It is a special calling to reflect Christ; be mindful of this special calling daily!

Suggestions for prayer

Pray to God that the He might use you mightily to serve in the Christian offices in which He has placed you by His Spirit.

This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa.