Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink, Director of Communications
Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church's daily dose of the word of God. This is Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink, Director of Communications at Elmhurst CRC. It's Thursday, March 16, and this week we're journeying with Jesus toward the cross, stumbling along with the blind man. It's found in John, chapter 9. Today's reading is from Psalm 23, and we'll linger on verse 5b.
"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink 0:24
Psalm 23 is arguably one of the most recognizable, best-loved, and most memorized passages in all of Scripture. It’s repeated for comfort, in moments of crisis, and at many a memorial service. The Psalm starts with “the Lord is my Shepherd,” and throughout Psalm 23, we hear words with the lovely protective imagery of a shepherd as he well cares for his sheep. He takes his sheep to green pastures and to still waters. He guides the sheep along safe paths and leads them through darkness and danger, guiding them and defending them with His rod and staff. “You anoint my head with oil” is just one more of the ways the shepherd cares for and protects his sheep. While many of us would be reluctant to pour oil over our heads due to its greasy and difficult-to-clean nature, those who tended sheep in ancient Israel knew the value of and would appreciate the significance of being “anointed with oil.”
Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink 1:23
Oil has a soothing and protective effect. And the shepherd who lovingly and well cared for his sheep would use oil, most likely olive oil, to anoint his sheep. This practice helped keep pesky flies and their eggs and larvae from infesting the soft membranes of the sheep, such as their nostrils. If left unchecked, the larvae could and would burrow into the sheep’s brain, causing pain, distress, inflammation, and infection. The sheep then would become so obsessed with the sensation and pain that they would rub or hit their head in an attempt to get rid of the pests, which could lead to injury and even death. But the anointing oil — that provided relief. The “anointed oil” forms a barrier of protection against the evil that tries to destroy the sheep - soothes, heals, and protects them. So this wonderful metaphor of the Lord as our loving shepherd intersects with real-world animal care.
Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink 2:24
The psalmist, who had already identified himself as a sheep, is experiencing the comforting and safeguarding effects of the oil. This oil is for us as well. I don’t know the rough places in your life where you need a comforting or soothing presence—but your shepherd is there. When we read the phrases, “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows,” we are meant to feel that loving care and the abundant provision of our Good Shepherd.
Sheri Van Spronsen Leppink 2:52
Let's pray. Thank you, Lord, for being our shepherd, our protector, and our daily provider. We ask you to anoint our heads with oil and provide the comforting and soothing presence that only you can give. In Jesus' name. Amen.