The oil of abandoned love.
Ingredients: Pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Israel mixed with Spikenard essential oil.
Spikenard was one of the most expensive perfumes in Yeshua’s day. A pound was said to cost an entire year’s salary for the average worker. Spikenard is a small attractive perennial that is usually found growing on rock ledges and mountain slopes and is prized for its aromatic rhizomes. The fragrance of spikenard comes from the “root”, the very core of the beloved’s being. It seems that this plant was growing in abundance in the Shulamite Bride’s garden, since it’s mentioned twice in succession, indicating a double portion. Planted in the cleft of the rock and being rooted and grounded in love, could only produce this fragrance that symbolizes worshipful adoration.
Spikenard was considered an herb of love, thus when Mary of Bethany poured out her perfume without reservation, it became a powerful symbol of abandoned love. We see in the book of Mark chapter 14 how her extravagant adoration caused a chain reaction. Those around became indignant but that didn’t stop her from boldly proceeding to anoint Yeshua the One she loved which then vindicated her by saying that her name and actions would be remembered throughout the ages to come.
Scriptures related with this oil can be found in: Song 4:13-14 and Mark 14.
The history of Holy Anointing Oils with the Jewish faith ultimately speak of Christ and His finished work.
Olive oil comes from the olive fruit after it has undergone an extreme process of manhandling and crushing. When the fruit is first pressed the oil producer only gets a white sap which has a very bitter taste. In order to get the oil and get rid of the bitter taste both the fruit and the seed have to be crushed by a great weight in what is known as an olive press. This undertaking we believe is a direct and symbolic representation of the way Jesus was crushed under the burden and weight of our sin and the wrath of God directed towards that sin. The consequence of this crushing He received can be seen as Him becoming the Holy Anointing Oil that is responsible for healing and setting us free today.
Holy Anointing Oils were no stranger in Yeshua's life on earth either. We see this in Luke chapter 4 where He is anointed at the beginning of His ministry by a woman and again at the end by Mary of Bethany before He is crucified. The anointing of oil is also mentioned in many other places in the scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments, to signify special occasions like a major initiation, an endorsement, a significant and intimate event, a dedication, or to encourage faith when a prayer for deliverance and healing is performed.