Love in God's Family - 5

The oil anointing everything in the Temple was a picture promise that God would pour out his Holy Spirit on Christ who would fulfil everything that was symbolised by the Temple activities.

Then, when Christ was given to the world, he came in a human life that was anointed by the Holy Spirit – without measure. In other words he was man ‘filled up’ with the Spirit of God.

Finally, by his death and resurrection, Christ formed the Church – his body - the Body of Christ, which is the community of believers. Again, the Holy Spirit was involved. He anoints everyone who joins the Church so that the Body is made up of Spirit-filled people. Christians submit to his anointing for every action and activity (just as the Temple arrangements were anointed with oil in the Old Testament). This especially includes FELLOWSHIP (that brotherly unity that David referred to in his Psalm).

Fellowship in the Church, therefore, is not merely people being nice and friendly. It must be a Spirit-filled experience beyond just human feelings. We share in the same unity that the Holy Spirit and Jesus and the Father experience together. It is good and pleasing. Our Christian fellowship with each other must be Spirit-filled. It is the only way to satisfy (please) God. It will please him like a father overseeing the happy interactions of his family is satisfied. When God is satisfied, we will experience that pleasure, too.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running on the collar of his robes!