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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 20, 2005 Anointing with Oil |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, February 20, 2005 By:
Brenda Kessler
Matthew
26: 6-13
When Jesus was in the home of Simon in Bethany a woman came to him and poured
very expensive oil on his head while he was seated at the table. The
disciples became upset. “Why this waste?” they said; “It could have
been sold for a good sum and the money given to the poor.” Jesus replies
that they will always have the poor among them but they will not always have
Him. “When she poured this oil on my body it was her way of preparing me
for burial.” (The New English Bible) Even then Jesus knew what was going
to be happening to him. Shortly thereafter Judas Iscariot went to the
chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over
to you?”
This scripture is one that has always fascinated me. It seems so out of
character for Jesus. He was usually reaching out to others. This
time he is centering on himself and his needs. He points out to those
challenging disciples that this woman is preparing him for burial.
Death and dying is not a subject many people want to talk about. Perhaps,
however, during this season of Lent we need to take the time to think about our
own dying. Perhaps this scripture is one of those that helps us to do
that.
Over many years as a registered nurse I have had the privilege of being with
people who have been gravely ill. I have also had the privilege of being
with people during the last hours of their lives and at the moments of their
deaths. One thing I have noticed is that when one is very near death, one
turns inward. One who is very near death cannot think about the needs of others.
And so many faith practices use oil for anointing when a person is gravely ill.
Roman Catholic Priests use oil to administer last rites to a dying person.
Even some protestant pastors – including Lutheran pastors – use oil to
anoint a gravely ill person.
Several months ago a member of our congregation who is now deceased told me that
he had a very meaningful experience with our interim associate pastor when she
had prayer with him and anointed him with oil. At the time of anointing
she said, “(Person’s name), on your confession of repentance and faith, you
are now anointed with oil in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of
sins, for the strengthening of your faith, and for healing and peace, according
to God’s grace and wisdom.” (From the UCC Healing Service)
This passage from scripture tells us, yet again, that Jesus knows our needs even
in our final hours!
Prayer: Thank you, God, for giving us Jesus who shows us the way.
Help us at all times – in our living and in our dying – to call on Him.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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