DO NOT MISS SUBTLE AND CASUAL ANOINTING

DO NOT MISS SUBTLE AND CASUAL ANOINTING

Scripture: Matthew 11:7-11

Topic: Do Not Miss Subtle and Casual Anointing

"And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings ‘houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he"

                                                                                                                                      Matthew 11:7-11

It is important to recognize subtle and casually expressed anointings.  Many things are supernatural but may not be spectacular. Many things are powerful but may not strike you as magical. Many times, outsiders recognize the anointing faster when it is casual or subtle. I remember a time I chatted with a prominent businessman from my city. I was sitting on my easy chair, because I never sit behind a desk.  As we chatted he looked at me and said, “You are very deceptive about who you are.” ‘Why?” I asked. He said, “You look very casual, as if you are relaxing here doing nothing much.  But that is not the case at all.  You are leading, managing, organising massive operations involving many people at the same time.  But there is no sign on you about the level of stress and the size of operation you are involved in.”  

Laban was the first person to recognize the power that was working on Israel. He was an outsider but he recognized that there was something unusual at work.  Today the power of God still rests on Israel. It has become a mighty nation against all odds.  It has withstood the persecution through the centuries.  It is a blessed nation with more inventors, Nobel Prize winners and intelligent people than most nations.  Israel has become the richest community within America with more billionaires and rich people than any other group of people. Yet, it was Laban who recognized that the power of God was resting on this young man who was to produce this nation.  

It would be quite easy to miss the power of God on Jesus Christ. Jesus was someone who went around eating with sinners.  Jesus was someone who was despised by the religious authorities of the day. Jesus’ followers were fishermen.  Few rich men, if any, joined the fold.  Large numbers of women followed Jesus, ministering to Him.  All these and many more would lead to great questions about the greatness of Jesus Christ. If you do not have eyes of the anointing you could easily join those who crucified him.  Yet, Nicodemus had eyes to see the power of God at work in the Son of God.   Often it is outsiders recognize the anointed with when he is operating in a subtle or casual anointing.  Nicodemus told Jesus, “No one could do this unless God was with him.

Elisha was a truly casual prophet. He did not desire greatness and was not even interested in gaining favours with commanders of foreign armies.  It was a little maid who pointed out to the great commander, Naaman that there was a casual prophet called Elisha who could heal him of his disease. But Elisha did not even bother to show Naaman certain courtesies.  Elisha did not even come out of his house to greet Naaman.   Elisha did not have any dramatic expression of the anointing.  He stayed indoors and sent a message to Naaman. ‘Go and have a bath in a river Jordan’. How unimpressive can a prophet be?  How could he minister healing by sending such a bland message through a messenger?  

Today, many people miss the anointing for the same reason that Naaman almost did. How unexciting Elisha must have been to onlookers.  And yet there was great power being manifested through the ministry of Elisha.  Do not miss the power of God because of its bland and non-spectacular nature.”

Credit: Excerpt From

The Anointed and His Anointing

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills