I’m sure you know olive oil is good for you. There’s so much talk of the Mediterranean diet helping people live longer and lead healthier lives.
Olive oil is one of the most digestible fats. It helps slow aging of body tissues and other organs, including your brain. And some believe it protects against cancer, heart disease and stomach ulcers. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties certainly make olive oil a valuable commodity.
Since Bible times it’s been used for a variety of things including lamp fuel, as a salve for wounds and in rituals for anointing royalty (e.g. 1 Sam 16:1-13).
But what do you know about how olive oil is made?
Here I share the traditional process which uses the olive press. And how, like the olives, Christ was beaten and crushed so He could pour forth life (oil) for us all…
How olive oil was made in Bible times – in the olive press
1. Harvesting and beating
First the olives were collected – either by hand or by beating the fruit off the trees.
Christ was beaten and flogged too.
The night of His arrest and crucifixion is the only documented acount of his flogging. But during the three years of his ministry He was hounded by the Jewish authorities – especially after He’d brought His friend Lazarus back from the dead (John 11: 45-53). They tried to arrest Him and kill Him on several occasions (e.g. Matt 12:9-14, Luke 4:28, John 7:1).
So although He wasn’t physically beaten before Holy Week, He was certainly pursued endlessly. He must have felt as though He was being flayed emotionally!
2. Into the olive press
Next the olives were washed and crushed to remove the pits and the remaining pulp put into woven bags or baskets. The baskets themselves were pressed and hot water poured over them to wash out any remaining oil. Liquid from the pressed baskets was drawn into a reservoir where the oil settled and separated.
Christ was crushed in the garden of Gethsemane (Hebrew = ‘gat shemanim’, meaning oil press).
This grove of gnarled and twisted olive trees contained an oil press, probably on the western slopes of the Mount of Olives and it was here that Jesus was “filled with anguish and deep distress” (Matt 26:37b – NLT).
As He was overwhelmed by His emotions He cried into the darkness:
“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” – Matt 26:38a (NLT)
And to top it off, His chosen friends, those he explicitly asked to stay with Him, those whom He loved deeply, could not keep themselves awake and be there by His side (Matt 26:38b). His emotions were repeatedly crushed as He prayed His most fervent prayer ever and…
“…He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” – Luke 22:44 (NLT)
He was distraught – emotionally crushed in the garden. Then physically broken on the cross.
3. Oil flows
Once the oil and water had separated, the oil was drawn off – either skimmed by hand or with a ladle. And then it was ready for use in a number of life-enhancing ways.
Christ, after many hours of agonising crushing in the garden and being separated from His Father on the cross (Mark 15:34), was resurrected to bring true life for all (e.g. Mark 16).
When you feel broken and like no-one is there, remember, Jesus understands
The difference is when you know Jesus and have invited Him into your heart, you will never be alone. His death on the cross opened the way for the Holy Spirit to come and live inside you, and He guides and comforts as you walk this adventure called life.
Christ your comforter, the oil of life
Sometimes we need squashing to let the goodness out. Perhaps, knowing Jesus is by your side, you’ll find it easier to allow this proccess and say, “your will, not mine Lord” (e.g. Matt 26:39).
Jesus was completely crushed, broken in body and spirit before Easter. But wow! What goodness has come through it!
I pray in this season, if you’re agonising in the darkness, that you’re able to draw on Him as your comforter. And that you’ll soon leap for joy like the sun rose on that first Easter morning.
God bless xx
Have you experienced God’s goodness despite the darkness? Do you have a story of going into the olive press and coming out full of life? Do share below if you feel comfortable doing so 👇🏼 – your testimony will build others up
And here are some personal stories of how God has shone through the darkness to bring about good in other people’s lives.