Extracting the oil from the olives was a very labor-intensive process which is still used today. To the right you can see an olive press which would have been used during the time of Christ. The olives were pressed or crushed by the heavy stone over and over again until the oil contained within them was released.
When I read these words, I always think about the olive press:
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:8-16 (KJV)
Paul would have been very familiar with the olive press and I cannot help but wonder if he was thinking about it as well when he wrote those words.
The process of extracting "oil" from us is a long and often painful process. Like the olive, we get bruised for it is the only way to release the oil that is within us. However, unlike the olive, God promises that though we may be pressed, He will not allow us to be destroyed.
We must always remember that... no matter what!
Blessings!!!
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