In my last post I discussed the beginning of understanding Jesus as The Anointed One. (Please read it first, as this discussion continues with concepts established there, another helpful one would be: What is the Anointing?)
The concept of the anointing is extraordinarily simple, yet magnificently profound. It means quite simply that God’s Spirit saturates a person. Yet before we assume that our temporal little minds have grasped that as a concept – let me assure you, they haven’t:
1 Cor 8:2
And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
This concept of the anointing – of God with us exists throughout the bible. The ancient religion of the Jews was based upon worship of the Messiah. The anointing was the blessing imparted from Abraham to Isaac, from Isaac to Jacob. The beginning of Moses’ revelation of God was the anointing. Remember this?
Moses later declared that: “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” (Deut. 4:24)
Yet the fire of God was upon the bush, and the bush was not consumed… this was his first revelation. Moses grasped that it was, indeed, a fire that would consume all it touched yet the paradox of an unconsumed bush set fully ablaze stood before him. What man can stand in the presence of God? Further, what man can be ablaze with a consuming fire, and not be burned up in its presence?
The burning bush is this same mystery of the anointing. Emmanuel?! How can God be with man without man being consumed?! Yet in this image, the full power of God is present in a mortal body – a bush. Notice, as a plant it has no mind, will, or emotions of its own to interfere with the working of God upon it (explore this concept further in ‘Trinity’, or ‘Godhead’…?); it is merely a living vessel upon which the consuming power of God has come.
THAT is the revelation of the Messiah: God’s full abiding, consuming presence, impossibly existing upon a chosen vessel. This is wholly impossible – this paradox of the burning bush; of a man filled with the fullness of a Holy, all consuming God. Man has been eternally separated from God by sin. God’s justice and holiness are so great that sin cannot abide in this consuming presence of His.
Modern atheism cries out: “There is no God – if there were a God, surely He would answer us when we called; but though we call there is no answer!”
Yet this mystery of the burning bush is the response to such foolishness (and surely it is utter foolishness to accuse God of non-existence! (Ps. 14:1)). Do you not know, oh foolish man, that God’s presence is a consuming fire?! Do you not know that your own wretched sinfulness would be burned up in His presence, and you consumed by His justice?! What a great mercy that He does not heed you, or answer your prayers until you have entered through the vail of the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ!
As it is elsewhere written:
Isa 59:1-2
Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Surely, the whole created universe is corrupted with the fall of man, and all will be consumed with fire when the Lord returns. At the coming of His presence comes the judgment, which will consume not only that which is tainted by sin, but also by iniquity (the unintended results, or corruption of sin).
As it is written:
But who will abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like a fuller’s soap. (Mal 3:2)
Who, then, can stand under the anointing?!
Only the vessel whose mind, will, and emotions are fully subdued. Only a vessel sanctified by water, and blood. Jesus fully submitted Himself to the will of God, only (see also: Why Did Jesus Repent?).
The burning bush testified of Jesus Christ, who fully submitted His mind, will, and emotions – who was fully consecrated to the will of God.
Himself testified: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30)
And,
He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone [ANOINTING]; for I do always those things that please him. ( John 8:29)
And,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19)
And as the writer of Hebrews declared: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Heb 5:8)
Jesus was, indeed, fully God. Yet He set aside His divinity (or his ‘God-ness’) to be a humble vessel of the anointing.
Jesus Christ is our example. God wants to save, and anoint you. He wants to fill your person, your very body with His all consuming presence.
Repent, therefore, and be baptized, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Pnuematic Rain 