It Is A Great Privilege to visit you and meet with you around the Lord’s table. We should all be most thankful to Almighty God whenever we are able to be here. There is nothing magical about the bread and wine. We are simply sharing two simple symbols of faith in a mighty Master.
Some brothers and sisters are too ill, old or frail to be here with us. It is our duty to make sure that they receive the communion of bread and wine on a regular basis. Ecclesias that do not do this with their ‘shut-ins’ are neglecting their responsibilities.
The elders of this ecclesia also have another responsibility to these less robust and unfortunate members. James says that, if such a member requests it, the elders should “pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (5:14).
The oil referred to is the “holy anointing oil” described in Exodus 30:25 and 37:29: Take fine spices and make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. I am a perfumer by trade, and I blend and sell aromatic oils and frankincense. I am often asked, Why does James tell us to anoint the sick brother and sister?
It is not a magic thing. It is not the oil that makes the sick person well. It is only “the prayer offered in faith” and the Lord’s will and power which are efficacious in this regard (James 5:15).
The anointing is not superstitious; it is symbolic, just like the breaking of bread. It gives sacredness to the occasion. It makes sick visiting a lot more than just a friendly passing chat. The fragrant oil has been shown to aid memory, and Psalm 133 explains why it is significant when visiting the sick: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head…For there God bestows the blessing, even life for evermore.” That is clear enough.
Spiritual symbols are vitally important. Let us not forget or minimize them. They strengthen faith. They express unity. They breathe the fragrance of love and concern. David well understood that what we do merely symbolizes what our heavenly Father does. “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psa. 23:5-6). So as we
share the bread and wine this morning, we strengthen each other. And let us not forget those who cannot be among us today.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One