PRESSED

Isaiah 53:5 -But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Often, we use this verse as one that encourages people to know that our God is a healer of our bodies and emotions.  But he also was bruised and beaten for our spiritual healing. If He had not gone to the cross we would not have any right to salvation. I want to focus on the bruised portion of this verse.

Olive oil is often used for anointing oil. It is an earthly representation of God’s anointing or the Holy Ghost. In order to understand the oil of anointing (Holy Ghost) in our lives as Christians, we need to understand how olive oil is pressed.

The fruit is washed and then put into a press where the fruit is pressed and crushed.  There are different presses and processes.  But the oil is squeezed out of the flesh of the fruit. Jesus was beaten and bruised in order that we could receive healing spiritually, physically and emotionally. 

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The oil of the anointing of God is placed within us as believers.  When we are born of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) we have that anointing within us.  It is what sustains us and gives us the power to walk out our witness.  As we grow from level to level we must walk through some trials. The things we face will press in and squeeze our flesh, it will bruise and crush us. Every trial takes us to a new level of anointing.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We don’t have to literally hang on a cross, but we must constantly sacrifice (crucify) the desires of our flesh.  As we do this, we release what God has placed within us as his anointing. We will walk through tough times and things that we will not know if we can get through process and pain. But with every pressing, God’s oil will help us grow in Him. 

2 Cor 3:20-18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

With every new level, we will walk more like Jesus and less like us. With every new level, there is a new devil.  The enemy will fight because he knows if we truly get a hold of who we are in Christ, there will be no stopping us.  With every new attack, we need to press into Jesus.  Knowing that He is always with us and will not leave us to fight alone.

Within ourselves, we do not stand a chance against satan.  That is why the world is so dark and evil right now.  But being blood-bought, Holy Ghost-filled children of the Most High God and King, the enemy is under our feet. He will not defeat us, as long as we walk in the power and anointing that has been given us by Jesus Christ.