Oil And Wine

Oil represents the anointing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Wine has medicinal properties and it can describe the power of God's Spirit to be bold without human inhibitions. On the day of Pentecost the disciples were accused of being drunk when they spoke courageously in other languages.

Jesus speaking of the good Samaritan who helped a man after he was attacked by robbers said, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV).

And that my friend is a remedy not only from the brokenness inflicted on us by the world but when our hearts grow stone cold. God knows how to massage a heart to life again with equal measure of wine and oil.

How does He restore a broken and harden heart? Because oil and wine require it to be crushed to produce the desired liquid. Likewise it says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV). The Father's heart was crushed when His only Son was marred beyond recognition. He sweat drops of blood like wine and water flowed from His pierced side.

We are left with a choice that when the Holy Spirit presses us that we don't resist His touch.

He wants to extract the poison of anger or bitterness and fill our hearts afresh. And even yesterdays spiritual leftovers that may have soured for sitting too long (much like manna that turns wormy). Oil can turn rancid if exposed too long to oxygen and wine can become moldy and become vinegar.

Our hearts must be open to Him daily so He can flush out (as it were) our spiritual immune system and keep us running well with His fresh oil and wine. Similarly, a car can break down with out a regular oil change and ever so often a good radiator flush.

Ask God to bring your heart to life if you are cold to the things of God. Sit for a while in His presence and He will ask you a simple question. Your response to Him matters for a heart to be softened by His anointing and power or just become more crusty and cold.

All you have to say in your deadness is yes to the Resurrection and Life. He will do the rest.