“I want you to know how glad I am that it’s me sitting here in this jail and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on (Col. 1:24 MSG)
I remember when I was working through my masters degree I was enrolled in a class called the Philosophical Problem of Evil. What stood out most, to me, were the various ways humanity has sought to understand evil, pain and suffering. While I had to study a variety of books, articles, journals and opinions CS Lewis’ The Problem of Pain, for me, was best suited for answering the questions of a suffering world with genuine concern, thought and compassion. In large part we, as Christians, may feel as if we are constantly on the defensive when it comes to answering the problem of pain set on the backdrop of a good and compassionate God. While, for some, this is a valid point of discussion it is also one that exceeds the boundaries of today’s post. Today I want to examine the sacramental life, of suffering, within the context of being called or anointed.
Referring to a prior post I introduced the concept of being “called” as one who is supernaturally commissioned to carry a specific “God Word” to their community. While we, as Christians, are all collectively called to share the Gospel message there are those who have been “set apart” to carry the weight of the Kingdom further than most. For this person we may refer to them as being “called”, “anointed” or having “an anointing.” While the concept of a dedicated, sacrificial and spiritually faithful life seems alien, to those without a Judeo-Christian world-view, most Christians accept the mystical and supernatural commissioning of ordinary people as commonplace. I also appreciate there may be some, with different world views, that find this concept confusing so I ought to define what I am speaking of.
Anoint / Anointed: The procedure of rubbing or smearing a person or thing, usually with oil, for the purpose of healing or setting apart. The Hebrew verb mashach (noun, messiah) and the Greek verb chrio (noun, christos) are translated “to anoint.” From ancient times the priests and kings were ceremonially anointed as a sign of official appointment to office, and as a symbol of God’s power upon them. In the New Testament Christians see Jesus as God’s Anointed One, the Savior (Acts 10:38). The same symbolism as in the OT is employed in this usage: God’s presence and power are resident in the anointing. Likewise, the Christian is anointed by God (2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:27) for the tasks of ministry.[1]
I often wonder, reading back into Paul’s words for the ancient church, if people would be so eager to identify themselves as called or anointed if they were placed within the same circumstances so many men and women have been positioned for answering the call of God? Within the Western Church USA we tend to glamorize everything. Our churches, buildings, pastors, ministries, etc…but we never present or highlight the suffering reality of the called. Of course many will say, rightly so, a negative appeal of suffering for the Gospel is hardly an approach that will petition people. Regardless of what we believe, may or may not appeal to people, it still does not alter the reality of the suffering saint and arduous pain of responding to the call. Returning to Paul’s writings he never considered “his calling” a negative weight rather he said, “I welcome the chance to take my share in the church’s part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.”
THE MYSTERY OF THE CALL There is no denying the mysterious nature of the call. Why does God call some and not others? I’m not sure. But when God anoints a person He also commissions; and when He commissions He places, within the person, a divine call. The call of God has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but being made as broken bread and poured-out wine (IE: The Lords Communion Table). Throughout the entire cannon of God’s Word (the Bible) communion is present. Though we have grown accustomed to the historicity of the “Lord’s Table” being present only during the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry the reality is the sacred and mysterious act of communion was established long before. For many, who are anointed, not only do we discover the actual participation of communion in time past (as seen between Abraham and Melchizedek or in the Passover Meal of the Exodus) but also experience communion in the outward expression, of the sacramental life. (Read the accounts of the prophets)
When you answer the call your life will be broken and poured out, just as in the taking of the sacraments, and He can never make us wine if we object to the “fingers” He uses to press us with. When He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, He uses those moments to refine us, or break us, for the Kingdom and answering the call. It has often been said, never choose the place of your own martyrdom; and if we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be pressed and poured out for His glory. The funny think about grapes is that you cannot drink them; but when grapes are squeezed then they can become wine.
To answer the call will not be easy… but it is rewarding. Suffering and pain are a part of life, for those “in Him” and not in Him. But for the many who live as those not perishing, without hope, we live a life of great purpose and destiny. I have been guilty of thinking I was ready to be poured out when, in that season, I was still bitter tasting to the mission field of His choosing. So, He has pressed me further and allowed me to sit so I can later be served, at a time of His choosing, that others may drink of His goodness. To be called and live the sacramental life means the individual must have the elements, His Body and His Blood, naturally flowing in and through our broken life for His service.
Keep right with the Father and let Him have His perfect way in your life. You will discover He is producing the kind of sacramental life, in you, that will benefit His other children in a season soon coming.
Grace and Peace
JOSHUA
[1] Mitchell, M. (2003). Anoint, Anointed. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen & T. C. Butler, Ed.) (70). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
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I don’t play the lottery but that is not to say when I hear of a gigantic jackpot my thoughts don’t drift to a world where endless supplies of money would change my circumstances dramatically. We have all experienced the weighty shifts of circumstance. For some of us when life’s circumstances turn for the worse our world seems more difficult and harder to bear spiritually as well as emotionally. But we have also experienced times when circumstances turn for the better and in those days joy is unquenchable and happiness abounds. In reality life is comprised of the ebb and flow of positive and negative circumstances; and while we may feel as if he have limited control over these shifts it is reassuring to know God is forever steady and certain in every season of life.
