“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” II Corinthians 2:14-15
I don’t know what it is about the beginning of a new school year, but this is the second year in a row that God has taught me something really neat about the way He is forming me. Last year, it was “flint-knapping”. This year, it’s incense.
Tonight I opened up my “Experiencing God Day-by-Day” devotional by Henry & Richard Blackaby and was intrigued by the devotional for August 12. (which is not today, I know…but…I’m behind.) The devotional referenced II Corinthians 2:14-15 and made these statements:
“Whenever the Romans won a major military victory they would celebrate with a spectacular parade. The commanding general would lead the procession in a magnificent chariot, followed by his soldiers, musicians, and other officials. Then, soldiers would lead the defeated enemies through the city in bondage. As part of the celebration, the Romans would burn fragrances on altars, filling the entire city with a pleasant aroma. Even those who could not witness the triumphal procession could hear the victory music and smell the pleasing incense. Everyone would know that their army had been victorious. The special fragrance came to symbolize victory to anyone who smelled it.
Paul used this vivid imagery to describe the effect that Christians should have in the world…Everywhere we go, our lives should demonstrate to others that Christ is victorious.”
How neat is that? I never realized that fragrance was used in Roman victory celebrations.
But, I couldn’t just stop there. I wanted to learn more about what type of fragrance we should be – so I used my handy-dandy Bible cross-references to see where else this same word for “fragrance” in II Corinthians 2:14-15 was used.
Ezekiel 20:40-41
“For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD, there in the land the entire house of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices. I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations.”
Whoa there. I don’t think it hit me until I read this verse that the fragrant aroma had to come from somewhere. And God just made it clear to the Israelites that their sacrifice would be….well…themselves. But is this just for the Israelites?
Ephesians 5:1-2
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
It appears that God desires us as a sacrifice, just like Jesus. But how do we do that?
My cross-referencing with the word “aroma” in II Corinthians 2:15 further led me to Genesis 8:21, Exodus 29:18, and Numbers 15:3…where I noticed a common theme. Aromas that are pleasing to the Lord are associated with fire. In beginning chapters of Leviticus almost every time you see the word aroma, it’s connected with fire. What is it about fire that makes an offering pleasing to God?
At this point, I decided to go back to II Corinthians 2:14-15 and relook at the passage. And this is what stuck out:
• God leads in victory.
• He uses us to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.
• We are the aroma of Christ…and aromas are connected with offerings subjected to fire. It’s almost as if we can picture God sniffing as we burn (theoretically) and saying, “Ahhhhhh…that smells like my Son.”
• God told the Israelites they will be fragrant incense (a sacrifice).
• God tells Christians to be like Christ, who gave himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice.
Incense. That’s what the Israelites would be. That’s what Romans most likely burned. What is incense?
According to Dictionary.com, the word “incense” comes from the Latin, meaning “to set on fire/burn.”
And…incense is known for releasing a sweet odor when it is burned.
There are many different kinds of incense, but they have in common the fact that they are made from organic materials (resins, woods, herbs, etc). And here’s where it gets really interesting.
How do you make incense?
According to "Scents of Earth", you first have to “pulverize” the ingredients. Mortar and pestle work well. Pretty much you just pound the ingredients into powder. By doing this, you won’t be able to tell what the ingredients originally were. Then, you should combine your ingredients. It’s best to let the mixture age (for weeks sometimes!) so that the aromas will blend before burning.
Then, you can heat this over burning rocks…or you can combine the mixture with a gum substance (or even fruit & honey) to make something called an incense pellet, which can burn on its own.
Well. That’s intriguing.
God wants us to smell like Jesus. Does it involve our wills and our pride being pulverized as we learn that God’s dreams are best for us? Does it involve times of waiting – just like incense smells more fragrant after it ages? Does it involve going through the fire – so that the smell of being more like Christ is released?
After looking at what is on my plate for this year, I have a feeling that this year is going to be prime pulverizing time. I think it also will be prime waiting time. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to face fires.
And I know I’m not the only one.
But, this helps me to smell like Jesus! Less of me…more of Him.
May we, as Christians, rejoice in trials and struggles and times of “pulverization.” May we be glad when we are told to wait for answers to our prayers. And may we never shrink from fires – because that’s what brings the aroma out.
What aroma? Let's go back to where we started.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." II Corinthians 2:14-15
The aroma is Jesus! And Jesus = VICTORY.
